Latest news with #Sharaa
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel denies claim that Syria's Sharaa met top Israeli official Tzachi Hanegbi in Abu Dhabi
Syrian outlet Al-Jumhuriya claimed the meeting took place on Monday, Israel responded that Hanegbi is in Washington as part of Netanyahu's delegation visiting the White House. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa reportedly met Israel's National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, independent Syrian outlet Al-Jumhuriya reported on Tuesday. Sources told the outlet that, allegedly, this was not "the first such meeting" to take place. Israel issued a statement denying the claim, noting that Hanegbi is in Washington as part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's delegation visiting the US. In June, The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel and Syria were continuing security discussions that could lead to a peace agreement between the two nations. However, a significant challenge has emerged in the talks, two sources familiar with the details reported to the Post. Al-Sharaa's administration has made it clear that under any agreement, Israel will not be permitted to operate or strike targets within Syrian territory. Israel, on the other hand, insists on retaining the ability to address security threats, particularly in scenarios where, as demanded by the Damascus administration, Israel withdraws from the buffer zones. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump's administration revoked the foreign terrorist organization designation for Syria's Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on Monday, in a move that aims to help the country rebuild following years of civil war. The decision was made as Trump's executive order of terminating the US sanctions program on Syria comes into effect, a move that aims to end the country's isolation from the international financial system. Syria's foreign ministry told Reuters that the lifting of sanctions on HTS was a "positive step toward correcting a course that previously hindered constructive engagement." The written statement said Syria hoped the move would "contribute to the removal of remaining restrictions that continue to impact Syrian institutions and officials, and open the door to a rational, sovereign-based approach to international cooperation." The ministry also said that Sharaa was planning to attend the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September. The UN Security Council still has sanctions on both HTS and Sharaa himself, which require a Council decision to remove. Amichai Stein and Reuters contributed to this report.
Ya Libnan
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Time for Ahmed al-Sharaa to protect Syria's minorities before the country disintegrates
Time for Ahmed al-Sharaa to Protect Syria's Minorities Before the Country Disintegrates More than a decade after the Syrian revolution began, a new chapter is being written—but instead of hope, it is soaked in fear, especially for Syria's minority communities. With the collapse of the Assad regime, the rise of a Sunni-majority leadership under figures like Ahmed al-Sharaa has brought not stability, but renewed anxiety. Minorities such as the Druze, Alawites, and Christians—once wary of Assad but now terrified of what follows—are facing systematic violence and abandonment. Ahmed al-Sharaa is not just any leader. He is a former jihadist figure with documented ties to al-Qaeda and ISIS. His sudden transformation into a statesman has done little to reassure those who remember the cruelty of Syria's darkest years. While he and his allies now speak the language of governance and unity, the ground reality tells a very different story. Clashes in the city of Sweida, a Druze stronghold in southern Syria, have left at least 37 people dead and scores wounded. Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters have once again taken up arms, and the state—under Sharaa's leadership—has responded with silence or token de-escalation efforts. Hundreds of Druze, Alawites, and Christians have been killed since Sharaa's emergence, yet the government has made no real effort to protect them or hold attackers accountable. These aren't isolated incidents. They are part of a disturbing pattern that suggests the new rulers are either unwilling or incapable of protecting Syria's rich mosaic of identities. The result is a growing exodus, as minorities increasingly view departure as their only guarantee of survival. This failure to govern inclusively not only betrays Syria's remaining social fabric, but it opens the door to international fragmentation. External powers, already present in Syria in various forms, are monitoring closely. Some may seek to intervene under the guise of humanitarian concern; others may exploit the chaos to carve out influence. Either path leads to the same end: the partition of Syria into sectarian or ethnic cantons, forever ending the dream of a unified state. Ahmed al-Sharaa still has a choice to make—though time is quickly running out. If he is truly seeking redemption from his militant past, if he truly believes in a future for Syria, then protecting the country's minorities must be his immediate priority. That means deploying state resources to guard vulnerable communities, prosecuting those responsible for sectarian violence, and publicly affirming the equal rights of all Syrians, regardless of sect or ethnicity. Symbolic gestures are not enough. The people need action. Security. Justice. The assurance that the new Syria will not be a replica of the old tyranny in a different costume. If Sharaa fails to rise to this moment, Syria's minorities will not wait to be slaughtered—they will flee, they will resist, and they may ultimately seek international protection. And when that happens, Syria may cease to exist as we know it. The survival of the state—and the credibility of its new leadership—hinges on whether Ahmed al-Sharaa is willing to break from the very ideology that once sought to destroy Syria's pluralism. If he cannot, or will not, then he will go down not as a liberator, but as a destroyer wearing a different banner.
Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Syrian, Israeli officials meet in Baku: Sources
Also in Syria Rojava administration reiterates call for 'decentralized' Syria, constitutional overhaul Rojava ruling party rejects Damascus 'integration' as bid to 'dismantle' institutions Rojava official says concerned about hate speech, treason accusations after US envoy remarks Washington prioritizing unified Syria, not Kurdish autonomy: Former US diplomat A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Syrian and an Israeli official met in Baku on Saturday on the sidelines of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Azerbaijan, a Damascus diplomatic source said. 'A meeting took place between a Syrian official and an Israeli official on the sidelines of Sharaa's visit to Baku,' the source told AFP, on the condition of anonymity. The meeting discussed 'the recent Israeli military presence in Syria,' according to the source, who added that Sharaa did not take part. It also came as Washington is trying to mend ties between the two countries. On May 14, President Donald Trump called on Sharaa to normalize ties with Israel during a meeting in Riyadh hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and attended remotely by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In a statement following the meeting, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at the time that Trump urged Sharaa to 'sign onto the Abraham Accords with Israel.' The Abraham Accords are a series of normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab countries - beginning with the UAE and Bahrain in 2020 - brokered by the US during Trump's first term in office. These accords established formal ties in areas like diplomacy, security, and trade. Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December, Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes on Syria in an effort to destroy Damascus's military stockpiles and prevent munitions and projectiles from falling into the hands of the new authorities, which Israeli authorities have described as 'extremists.' Israel has also sent troops across the border into a buffer zone east of the annexed Golan Heights, justifying the move as a precaution amid political instability in Syria. In late June, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that Israel was interested in making peace and normalizing relations with Syria and Lebanon. But Damascus responded to the initiative and said that peace with Israel was 'premature,' and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Friday stressed that normalization with Israel 'is not currently part of Lebanese foreign policy.'
Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Rojava ruling party rejects Damascus ‘integration' as bid to ‘dismantle' institutions
Also in Syria Rojava administration reiterates call for 'decentralized' Syria, constitutional overhaul Rojava official says concerned about hate speech, treason accusations after US envoy remarks Washington prioritizing unified Syria, not Kurdish autonomy: Former US diplomat Syrian, Israeli officials meet in Baku: Sources A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A senior official of the ruling Kurdish party in northeast Syria (Rojava) strongly criticized a proposal by the interim government in Damascus to "integrate" institutions within the Kurdish-majority region, describing it as an attempt to dismantle Rojava's self-governing administration, rather than a genuine move toward national unity under a democratic framework. Fawza Youssef, a member of the presidential body of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), warned that the new Syrian leadership's integration push reflects an effort 'to dissolve the institutions of the [Kurdish-led Democratic] Autonomous Administration [of North and East Syria's - DAANES],' stripping it of its 'political and service-oriented functions.' In an interview aired Saturday by Ronahi TV, a media outlet affiliated with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Youssef argues that DAANES's model - established over the past 13 years - should not be viewed as "an obstacle, but a pillar for strengthening Syria's power and cohesion,' and a cornerstone for rebuilding a democratic Syria. Following a swift offensive in December, a coalition of opposition groups - led at the time by the now-dissolved Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) under Ahmed al-Sharaa - toppled the regime of longtime Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Sharaa was appointed interim president in January, pledging to lead an inclusive political process. However, in the months that followed, the new interim government's policies have been criticized as exclusionary, especially by minority groups, including the Kurds. Despite this, a milestone agreement was signed in March between Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi to integrate the US-backed Kurdish-led force, which serves as Rojava's de facto military, into Syria's national institutions. The accord also noted the integration of 'all civil and military institutions' in Rojava 'under the administration of the Syrian state, including border crossings, the [Qamishli International] Airport, and oil and gas fields.' But Youssef pushed back against Damascus's interpretation of "integration," clarifying that for the PYD, "Integration certainly does not mean disarming, closing institutions, or assimilation within a centralized state. Rather, what is required is recognition of this experience and its participation within a comprehensive national democratic framework." She attributed Syria's current woes to centralized governance, arguing that it "brought the country to its current state, collapsed the political structure' and 'paved the way for deep foreign interventions in Syrian affairs." Youssef further highlighted a deep 'lack of trust between Syrian parties,' citing what she described as the interim government's failure to uphold previous agreements. Since the March Abdi-Sharaa deal, multiple rounds of negotiations have taken place between DAANES and Syrian government delegations, including sessions attended by US and French envoys. However, a fundamental disagreement continues to stall progress. Damascus insists on full absorption of DAANES's administrative and military structures into a centralized Syrian state, based on the principle of 'one Syria, one army, one government.' Conversely, DAANES and the PYD advocate for a decentralized, democratic Syria that preserves the autonomy and institutions developed in Rojava.
Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Rojava administration reiterates call for ‘decentralized' Syria, constitutional overhaul
Also in Syria Rojava ruling party rejects Damascus 'integration' as bid to 'dismantle' institutions Rojava official says concerned about hate speech, treason accusations after US envoy remarks Washington prioritizing unified Syria, not Kurdish autonomy: Former US diplomat Syrian, Israeli officials meet in Baku: Sources A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) on Sunday reiterated its call for a 'decentralized Syria' built on democratic and pluralistic foundations, while firmly rejecting accusations of separatist ambitions and reaffirming its 'unequivocal' commitment to Syria's territorial unity. The statement comes amid ongoing negotiations with the interim government in Damascus. In a statement released Sunday, the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) stated, 'For decades, Syrians suffered under a centralized system that monopolized power and wealth' and 'dragged the country into repeated crises. 'Today, we aspire to be genuine partners in building a new Syria - a decentralized state that embraces all its people and guarantees their rights equally,' DAANES said. The Rojava administration further emphasized that its calls for 'a pluralistic democratic system' are longstanding, while reaffirming that the unity of Syrian territory is 'a non-negotiable principle and a constant pillar' of its vision, warning that politicizing this issue 'only serves those who seek to undermine the prospects of a political solution.' Following a swift offensive in December, a coalition of opposition groups - then headed by the now-dissolved Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) under Ahmed al-Sharaa - toppled the regime of longtime dictator Bashar Sharaa was appointed interim president in January, vowing to lead an inclusive political transition. However, in the months that followed, the interim government's policies have drawn criticism from minority groups, including the Kurds, who accuse it of exclusion and centralization. A key breakthrough came in early March, when Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, commander of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), signed an agreement to integrate the Kurdish-led force, which serves as the de facto army in Rojava. The accord also outlined the integration of 'all civil and military institutions' in Rojava under the Syrian state, including border crossings, Qamishli International Airport, and oil and gas fields. Since then, multiple rounds of talks have been held between DAANES and Syrian government delegations, with participation from US and French envoys. While these talks have made some headway, a core disagreement continues to stall further progress. Damascus maintains that DAANES's administrative and military structures must be fully absorbed into a centralized state, adhering to the principle of 'one Syria, one army, one government.' In contrast, the Kurdish pirates in Rojava are advocating for a decentralized, democratic Syria that preserves the autonomy and institutions developed in Rojava over the past decade. In its Sunday statement, DAANES welcomed the latest meetings with the Syrian government - held in the presence of US and French representatives - as 'a crucial step toward launching a serious Syrian-Syrian dialogue.' It also expressed 'sincere thanks and gratitude' to both countries for their 'constructive role and continuous efforts in supporting stability, peace, and democracy in Syria.' The Kurdish-led administration also reiterated its call for the drafting of a new constitution 'that guarantees the rights of all components' of Syrian society. In mid-March, Sharaa signed a 53-article constitutional declaration that enshrines Islamic jurisprudence, requires the president to be Muslim, and outlines a five-year transitional period. The document retains the country's name as the Syrian Arab Republic and grants sweeping powers to the president, including exclusive executive authority, the ability to appoint one-third of the legislature, and control over appointments to the constitutional court - the only body capable of holding the president accountable. Kurdish groups in Rojava quickly rejected the declaration, arguing that any constitution must emerge from a genuine national consensus, not be imposed unilaterally. Of note, the DAANES statement came a day after a senior official in Rojava's ruling party warned on Saturday that the interim government's approach to integration amounts to an effort to 'dissolve the institutions' of the DAANES and strip it of its political and administrative roles. Fawza Youssef, a member of the presidential body of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), further stated that DAANES's model - established over the past 13 years - should not be viewed as "an obstacle, but as a pillar for strengthening Syria's power and cohesion' and a cornerstone for rebuilding a democratic Syria.
