Latest news with #Syrian-led
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
In India's first outreach to post-Assad regime, MEA Joint Secretary meets Syrian Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani
Marking a fresh beginning in ties with Damascus in the post-Assad era, India reached out to the Syrian provisional government under the leadership of President Ahmed Hussein Al-Sharaa this week. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary Suresh Kumar, of the West Asia and North Africa division, met with the Syrian provisional government's Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani on Monday (July 28, 2025) in Damascus, according to officials here. Sources said he was accompanied by several other Indian officials, including the Indian Ambassador to Syria, Irshad Ahmed. Both teams held 'constructive dialogue on issues of mutual interest and explored new avenues to strengthen bilateral ties for the benefit of both nations', Syria's Foreign Ministry said on its official Telegram channel. This is India's first outreach to Syria since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, who was ousted in December 2024 after a quarter century in power. India had maintained close ties with the Syrian Arab Republic under his rule and that of his father Hafiz Al Assad, who was President for three decades, from 1970 onwards. Since the end of the Assad era though, India has been championing a 'Syrian-led' government to resolve the political crisis that has gripped the country. Medical aid Apart from his meeting with the Syrian Foreign Minister, Mr. Kumar also met Syrian Health Minister Musab Al-Ali. Syria has a large war-affected population in need of urgent medical care and the two sides discussed cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector and in the training of medical personnel to help the affected population. In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India had also handed over a 'consignment of 5 MT of essential life saving medicines, including anti-cancer, antibiotics and anti-hypertensives to Syria'. He added: 'India's humanitarian support to the people of Syria continues.' Pharma cooperation had also featured in the India-Syria Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) of November 2024 — barely a week before Mr. Assad's ouster — when Mr. Kumar had led the Indian delegation in talks with a Syrian team led by the Assad regime's Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Raad. Seeking global legitimacy Mr. Kumar's current meetings come against the backdrop of increased internal strife in Syria, with various political, religious, and sectarian groups fighting for control in Damascus since the fall of the Assad government on December 8, 2024. Syria's current provisional government is headed by Ahmed Hussein Al-Shara, a former Al Qaeda leader who also led the Al Qaeda-allied Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a terrorist group. He is also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad Al Jolani. Since the fall of the Assad regime, several governments have reached out to President Al Shara as Syria grapples with internal and external challenges. In recent months, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Al Shaibani has met a number of foreign delegates, including the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Turkiye, as the provisional government seeks global legitimacy. Recharging Syria policy Reacting to the meeting in Damascus, former Indian diplomat Zikrur Rahman said that India's outreach is in sync with its policy of wait and watch regarding Syria. 'India has not evacuated its embassy in Damascus since the crisis in Syria escalated and ended with the fall of the government of Bashar Al Assad. Therefore, it was a matter of time before India would formally reach out to the new rulers in Damascus and recharge its Syria policy in consultation with other regional partners like the Gulf countries,' said Prof Rahman. Syria is expected to adopt a new Constitution and India has supported the drafting of an inclusive Constitution. India's policy on the future of Syria has been reiterated on multiple occasions since the fall of the Assad government. A day after Mr. Assad fled to Moscow, the MEA's Mr. Jaiswal had said: 'We underline the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. We advocate a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society.'
Jordan News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Jordan News
Kallas: EU Condemns Any Attempts to Undermine Syria's Stability - Jordan News
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, strongly condemned the recent violence in southern Syria, which reportedly resulted in hundreds of casualties, amid reports of "armed groups carrying out direct attacks against civilians." اضافة اعلان In an official EU statement, Kallas called for a transparent, credible, and impartial investigation into the violations, stressing the need to hold all perpetrators of serious crimes accountable in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights law, including through support for relevant international mechanisms. She emphasized the need for full respect of the current ceasefire, urging all parties to immediately halt violence, ensure the protection of civilians without discrimination based on ethnicity or religion, and preserve civilian infrastructure, including religious sites. Kallas also underscored the urgency of curbing incitement and sectarian hate speech. Kallas reiterated the EU's call for all foreign parties—without exception—to respect Syria's unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. She condemned any unilateral military actions or efforts to destabilize Syria, whether through military presence, media manipulation, or foreign interference. The High Representative stated that the EU remains committed to supporting its partners in delivering urgent humanitarian aid, calling on all parties, particularly the Syrian transitional authorities, to ensure safe and unimpeded access to life-saving assistance, including healthcare, water, food, and the protection of humanitarian workers. She added that the time has come for dialogue and a peaceful, inclusive political transition that safeguards human rights and meets the aspirations of all Syrians. Kallas affirmed that the transitional authorities bear responsibility for protecting all citizens, disarming combatants, and reforming security forces in line with international standards. Kallas reiterated the EU's readiness to support these efforts, emphasizing its commitment to a Syrian-led political transition owned by the Syrian people. She also recalled the recent easing of some EU restrictive measures as part of a gradual and reversible approach to facilitating this process.
Observer
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Oman decries Israel's aggression on Syria
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman has voiced its strong condemnation of the Israeli attacks on the Syrian Arab Republic, which violate its national sovereignty and constitute a blatant breach of international law. Oman reiterates its urgent appeal to the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities by ensuring Israel's complete withdrawal from the occupied Syrian territories, halting all hostile actions endangering civilian lives, and implementing a comprehensive political solution in accordance with UN Resolution 2254, which aims to restore stability in Syria through a Syrian-led transitional process. In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Oman affirmed its full support for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its solidarity with the Syrian people. It called for intensified international efforts to protect civilians and alleviate their suffering by providing necessary humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, Syrian leader Ahmed al Sharaa accused Israel of trying to fracture Syria and promised to protect its Druze minority on Thursday, after US intervention helped end deadly fighting between government forces and Druze fighters in the south. Overnight, the government's troops withdrew from the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, where scores of people have been killed in days of conflict pitting Druze fighters against government troops and Bedouin tribes. One local journalist said he'd counted more than 60 bodies in the streets of Sweida on Thursday morning. Ryan Marouf of Suwayda24 said he had found a family of 12 people killed in one house, including women and an elderly man. Violence in Syria escalated sharply on Wednesday as Israel launched air strikes in Damascus, while also hitting government forces in the south, demanding they withdraw and saying Israel aimed to protect Syrian Druze - part of a small but influential minority that also has followers in Lebanon and Israel. Israel, which bombed Syria frequently under the rule of ousted president Bashar al Assad, has struck the country repeatedly this year. Addressing Syrians on Thursday, interim President Sharaa accused Israel of seeking to "dismantle the unity of our people", saying it had "consistently targeted our stability and created discord among us since the fall of the former regime". Sharaa said that protecting Druze citizens and their rights was "our priority" and rejected any attempt to drag them into the hands of an "external party". He also vowed to hold to account those who committed violations against "our Druze people". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had established a policy demanding the demilitarisation of a swathe of territory near the border, stretching from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights to the Druze Mountain, east of Sweida. He reiterated Israel's policy to protect the Druze. - Agencies
Yemen Online
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Yemen Online
Gulf States, Lebanon, Egypt, and Turkey Reject All Foreign Interference in Syria
The foreign ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, along with Lebanon, Egypt, and Turkey, issued a joint statement rejecting all forms of foreign interference in Syria's internal affairs. The declaration followed a ministerial meeting held in Doha aimed at addressing the escalating crisis in Syria and reaffirming regional support for a Syrian-led political solution. The statement emphasized the importance of preserving Syria's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, and called for an immediate halt to military operations that threaten civilian lives and prolong the conflict. The ministers reiterated their commitment to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 as the foundation for a comprehensive peace process. The joint communiqué also warned that continued external meddling risks plunging Syria into further chaos and undermines efforts to restore stability and facilitate the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons. The signatories urged all parties to support a political resolution that protects civilians and strengthens Syria's institutions. This coordinated position reflects growing regional consensus on the need to shield Syria from proxy conflicts and foreign agendas, while promoting dialogue and humanitarian relief.
Muscat Daily
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Sultanate of Oman strongly condemns Israeli attacks in Syria
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Muscat – The Sultanate of Oman has strongly condemned Israel's attacks on the Syrian Arab Republic, denouncing them as a blatant violation of Syria's sovereignty and international law. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oman reaffirmed its full support for Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and its solidarity with the Syrian people. The Sultanate also renewed its urgent call to the international community—especially the UN Security Council—to uphold its legal and moral responsibilities. This includes ensuring Israel's full withdrawal from occupied Syrian territories, ending hostilities that threaten civilian lives, and advancing a comprehensive political solution aligned with UN Resolution 2254, which calls for a Syrian-led transitional process to restore stability. Oman further stressed the need to intensify global efforts to protect civilians and alleviate their suffering through vital humanitarian assistance.
