Latest news with #Shahin
L'Orient-Le Jour
4 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Druze elder humiliated in viral video found alive, granddaughter says
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 Shahin for hours after the video began spreading on Tuesday, his granddaughter, Christine Shahin, told AFP. However, his phone was ultimately answered by an unknown person who taunted them, saying the elder had "met his end." But on Thursday, 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 Tuesday entered the majority-Druze city of Sweida, in the country's south, with the stated aim of overseeing a cease-fire after clashes between local fighters and Bedouin tribes left dozens dead. 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 Wednesday, the central government announced that it was withdrawing its troops after striking a cease-fire agreement with local representatives. The video of 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. However, the exact circumstances remained unknown due to communication difficulties.
Gulf Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Druze elder humiliated in viral video found alive, granddaughter says
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 Shahin for hours after the video began spreading on Tuesday, his granddaughter 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 Thursday 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 Tuesday 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. 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 Wednesday, the central government announced it was pulling out its troops after striking an accord for a ceasefire with local representatives. The video of 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. Agence France-Presse
Straits Times
5 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
Al-Ahram Weekly
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Israeli, Palestinian foreign ministers to attend EU meeting - War on Gaza
Israeli and Palestinian foreign ministers were due at a meeting in Brussels between the EU and its southern neighbours on Monday, but the Palestinian Authority denied the two would meet. It would be the first time since the Gaza war began in October 2023 that Israeli and Palestinian ministers attended a high-level meeting in the same room. The office for Israel's foreign minister said that alongside the ministerial meeting, Gideon Saar would hold talks with the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas and the bloc's Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica. Saar is also expected to meet with foreign ministers on the sidelines of the event, the statement added. The Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA) confirmed the attendance of foreign minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin but denied media reports that any meeting with Saar was on the agenda. A statement said that Shahin would give a speech "focusing on the suffering of the Palestinian people under the ongoing war of extermination and displacement in the Gaza Strip, the systematic starvation policy practised by the occupying state, and the financial blockade imposed on the Palestinian government". It said she would also address the situation in the occupied West Bank, where violence is surging and Israel is waging a months-long military operation in the north that has displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians. The foreign ministry said Shahin was scheduled to hold meetings with Kallas and a number of European foreign ministers. "The minister will demand an immediate halt to the crimes of genocide, displacement and annexation, and to compel the Israeli government to comply with the international will for peace and open a political negotiation process to end the occupation and enable our people to exercise their right to self-determination," the statement said. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Israeli, Palestinian foreign ministers to attend EU meeting
Find out what's new on ST website and app. JERUSALEM - Israeli and Palestinian foreign ministers were due at a meeting in Brussels between the EU and its southern neighbours on July 14, but the Palestinian Authority denied the two would meet. It would be the first time since the Gaza war began in October 2023 that Israeli and Palestinian ministers attended a high-level meeting in the same room. The office for Israel's foreign minister said that alongside the ministerial meeting, Mr Gideon Saar would hold talks with the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas and the bloc's Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica. Mr Saar is also expected to meet with foreign ministers on the sidelines of the event, the statement added. The Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority (PA) confirmed the attendance of foreign minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin but denied media reports that any meeting with Mr Saar was on the agenda. A statement said that Ms Shahin would give a speech 'focusing on the suffering of the Palestinian people under the ongoing war of extermination and displacement in the Gaza Strip, the systematic starvation policy practised by the occupying state, and the financial blockade imposed on the Palestinian government'. It said she would also address the situation in the occupied West Bank, where violence is surging and Israel is waging a months-long military operation in the north that has displaced tens of thousands of Palestinians. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore to train more aviation and maritime officials from around the world Singapore Special edition SG60 Nets card now on sale for $10 Singapore 18 years' jail for woman who hacked adoptive father to death after tussle over Sengkang flat Business Singapore's economy sees surprise expansion in Q2 despite US tariff uncertainty: Advance estimate Singapore Jail, caning for man who had 285 child porn videos showing over 400 children, including infants Singapore Jail for woman who opened bank accounts that received over $640.7m, including scam proceeds Singapore Driver assisting with police probe after e-bike rider injured in hit-and-run in Hougang Sport After Olympic heartbreak, Singaporean swimmer Chantal Liew turns pain into inspiration The foreign ministry said Ms Shahin was scheduled to hold meetings with Ms Kallas and a number of European foreign ministers. 'The minister will demand an immediate halt to the crimes of genocide, displacement and annexation, and to compel the Israeli government to comply with the international will for peace and open a political negotiation process to end the occupation and enable our people to exercise their right to self-determination,' the statement said. AFP
