Latest news with #SyrianDefenceMinistry
The National
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Syria's defence ministry aware of reports of 'shocking violations' in Sweida
The Syrian defence ministry said it was aware of reports of "shocking violations" carried out by fighters wearing military fatigues in the Druze heartland of Sweida, and said it was launch a probe into the week of deadly clashes. Sectarian clashes increased last week between the Druze and Bedouin tribes. Fighting escalated when government forces were sent to the city. More than 300 people were killed in the fighting that also drew in Israeli strikes. Israel claims to be supporting the Druze, who form a significant minority in Israel but are often subjected to army conscription. Syria and Israel agreed to a ceasefire on Friday. War monitors and witnesses accused forces affiliated to the government of carrying out executions in the city. Syria's Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra said in a statement on Tuesday there would be "no tolerance" for perpetrators of human rights violations in Sweida, even if they were committed by ministry forces. A committee has been tasked to investigate the reports and to try to identify those who were wearing military uniforms and carrying out atrocities. Separately, the Syrian interior ministry said it had launched an investigation into reports of field executions committed by "unknown people" in Sweida. "Such acts constitute serious crimes," ministry spokesperson Nour Al Din Al Baba said, stressing that the ministry was also working on identifying those involved. Last week's violence in Sweida is just the latest episode of sectarian fighting that the new authorities in Damascus have been linked to. A Syrian fact-finding committee said separately on Tuesday that 1,426 people had died in March in attacks on security forces and subsequent mass killings of Alawites, but concluded that commanders had not given orders for the revenge attacks. US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack said he had advised Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara to recalibrate his policies and embrace a more inclusive approach in the wake of the latest sectarian flare-up, or risk losing international support. In an interview with Reuters in Beirut, Mr Barrack said the Syrian leader could "grow up as a president and say, 'the right thing for me to do is not to follow my theme, which isn't working so well.'" Mr Shara, leader of a former Al Qaeda offshoot, came to power in Syria after guerilla fighters he led brought down President Bashar al-Assad in December last year after more than 13 years of civil war. While many of his fighters have roots in extremism, he has vowed to protect members of minorities. But that pledge has been challenged by mass killings of members of the Alawite sect - which Assad belonged to - and now by the latest violence involving the Druze. Mr Barrack however pushed back on reports that Syrian security forces were responsible for the violations. "The Syrian troops haven't gone into the city. These atrocities that are happening are not happening by the Syrian regime troops. They're not even in the city because they agreed with Israel that they would not go in," he said. Th US State Department confirmed the death of a US citizen last week in Sweida, adding that it was providing consular assistance to the family.
Reuters
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Syria's defence ministry says it is aware of reports of 'shocking violations' in Sweida
July 22 (Reuters) - The Syrian defence ministry said on Tuesday it was aware of reports of "shocking violations" by people wearing military fatigues in the country's predominantly Druze city of Sweida, and said it would launch an investigation. Sectarian clashes have escalated in Sweida this month between the Druze - a religious minority native to the area - and Syrian Bedouin tribes. Ferocious fighting then broke out between Druze militia and government forces sent to the city to quell the unrest. The fighting left over 300 people dead and drew in neighbouring Israel, which carried out airstrikes in southern Syria and on the defence ministry in Damascus last week. Israel said it was protecting the Druze, who form a significant minority in Israel. On Friday, Israel and Syria agreed to a ceasefire supported by Turkey, Jordan and neighbours. Syria's Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra said in a statement there would be "no tolerance" for perpetrators of human rights violations in Sweida, even if they were committed by ministry forces. A committee has been formed to investigate reports of killings by people wearing military fatigues and to try to identify them, he said. Separately, the Syrian interior ministry said it had launched an investigation into reports of field executions committed by "unknown people" in Sweida. "Such acts constitute serious crimes," ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din Al-Baba said, stressing that the ministry was also working on identifying those involved. A Syrian fact-finding committee said separately on Tuesday that 1,426 people had died in March in attacks on security forces and subsequent mass killings of Alawites, but concluded that commanders had not given orders for the revenge attacks. The incidents in the coastal region were the worst violence to hit Syria since the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad last year. The new leadership is made up mainly of former anti-Assad rebel fighters, who are facing fresh unrest this month involving other minority groups in the southwest.
Times of Oman
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Israel hits Syria's military HQ and near presidential palace
Damascus: The Israeli army said on Wednesday it struck the entrance to the Syrian military's headquarters in Damascus. Reuters news agency reported, citing Syrian security sources, that at least two drone strikes hit the Syrian Defence Ministry building. Another strike hit near the presidential palace, located in the hills outside of the Syrian capital. The attacks come after Israel vowed to step up its strikes in Syria unless the government pulls its forces from southern areas where there were recent deadly clashes between Druze and Bedouin tribes. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors events amid the recent conflicts in Syria, said two people were injured in two successive airstrikes near the General Staff Headquarters. Why is Israel bombing Syria? Israel has now struck Syria for a third day in a row. Israel has said its attacks were to protect the Druze minority after Syrian government troops, dispatched to quell fighting between Druze and Bedouin fighters, ended up clashing with the Druze militias themselves. Syria's state media and witnesses said there had also been Israeli strikes throughout Wednesday on the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, where fighting continues after the collapse of a ceasefire. In a social media post after the strikes, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said: "The warnings to Damascus have ended — now painful blows will come." In February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for southern Syria to be completely demilitarized. He also warned that Israel would not tolerate the presence of Syrian government forces near territory it controls. As fighting continues in Sweida, members of the Druze community from Israel have been entering Syria to support Druze armed groups, while people from the Syrian Druze community, in their turn, have been trying to enter Israel.
The National
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Regional and world powers urge restraint in Syria after clashes and Israeli strikes
Regional and world powers called for restraint in Syria on Wednesday after Israel launched air strikes on the heart of Damascus in response to an escalating Syrian government offensive in the southern city of Sweida. Clashes have raged for days in Sweida between government forces and armed groups from the Druze minority. Israel says its air strikes are in support of the Druze and has vowed to escalate its involvement. On Wednesday it struck the Syrian Defence Ministry headquarters and other targets in the capital. One person was killed and 18 wounded in the attacks, Syria's Health Ministry said. US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said on X "we unequivocally condemn violence against civilians in Sweida". "All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to a lasting ceasefire," he added. "Perpetrators need to be held accountable." The EU said it was alarmed by the clashes in Sweida, calling on all sides to implement a ceasefire and protect civilians. But it also urged "all external actors" to "fully respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity", after Israel carried out its strikes. Israeli Druze break through border fence and march into Syria France called for an end to "abuses targeting civilians". It said there must be an "immediate cessation of clashes" and urged all sides to bring about a truce. Syrian government forces entered Sweida on Tuesday with the stated aim of overseeing a ceasefire agreed with Druze community leaders after clashes with Bedouin tribes left dozens dead. But some witnesses said government forces had joined the Bedouin in attacking Druze fighters and civilians. "France supports the efforts of the Syrian transitional authorities and the leaders of the Sweida region to restore dialogue, and hopes for a lasting agreement to strengthen the unity, stability and sovereignty of Syria, as well as the safety of all Syrians," Paris said. Turkey meanwhile condemned Israel's intervention, saying it aimed to sabotage Syria's efforts to establish peace and security. The Foreign Ministry said Syria had a historic opportunity to live in peace and integrate into the world after the toppling of former president Bashar Al Assad last year. The Gulf Co-operation Council also criticised Israel's attacks, saying they "constitute a flagrant violation" of Syria's sovereignty. Secretary General Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi said the air strikes were a "breach of international laws and norms, and a serious threat to regional security and stability". "Continuation of these repeated and ongoing attacks by the Israeli occupation forces constitutes an irresponsible escalation," the GCC said. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun called the Israeli operations a "blatant violation" of state sovereignty, international law and the UN Charter. He condemned the strikes in "the strongest possible terms" and called on the international community to exert pressure on Israel. But Israel vowed further intervention. "The signals to Damascus are over – now come the painful blows," said Defence Minister Israel Katz, promising the Israeli military would "operate forcefully" in Sweida "to eliminate the forces that attacked the Druze until their full withdrawal".
BreakingNews.ie
16-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Clashes rage in Syrian city as Israel launches strike on Damascus
Clashes have raged in the Syrian city of Sweida after a ceasefire between government forces and Druze armed groups collapsed and as Israel threatened to escalate its involvement. The Israeli army said that it struck near the entrance to the Syrian Ministry of Defence in Damascus. Advertisement Israel has launched a series of air strikes on convoys of government forces in southern Syria since the clashes erupted and has beefed up forces on the border, saying that it is acting to protect the Druze religious minority. Syria's Defence Ministry had earlier blamed militias in Sweida for violating a ceasefire agreement that had been reached on Tuesday, causing Syrian army soldiers to return fire and continue military operations in the Druze-majority province. 'Military forces continue to respond to the source of fire inside the city of Sweida, while adhering to rules of engagement to protect residents, prevent harm, and ensure the safe return of those who left the city back to their homes,' the statement said. Government soldiers stand next to confiscated items stolen during clashes in Sweida city (Omar Albam/AP) A rebel offensive led by Islamist insurgent groups ousted Syria's long-time despotic leader Bashar Assad in December, bringing an end to a nearly 14-year civil war. Since then, the country's new rulers have struggled to consolidate control over the territory. Advertisement The primarily Sunni Muslim leaders have faced suspicion from religious and ethnic minorities. The fears of minorities increased after clashes between government forces and pro-Assad armed groups in March spiralled into sectarian revenge attacks in which hundreds of civilians from the Alawite religious minority, to which Assad belongs, were killed. The latest escalation in Syria began with tit-for-tat kidnappings and attacks between local Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze armed factions in the southern province. Government forces that intervened to restore order have also clashed with the Druze while reports have surfaced of members of the security forces carrying out extra-judicial killings, looting and burning civilian homes. Advertisement No official casualty figures have been released since Monday, when the Syrian Interior Ministry said 30 people had been killed. The UK-based war monitor, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said more than 250 people had been killed as of Wednesday morning, including four children, five women and 138 soldiers and security forces. The observatory said at least 21 people were killed in 'field executions'. The Druze religious sect began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. Israeli soldiers stand guard as Syrian Druze protest near the Israeli-Syrian border (Leo Correa/AP) More than half the roughly one million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most of the other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East War and annexed in 1981. Advertisement In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the military. In Syria, the Druze have been divided over how to deal with the country's new leaders, with some advocating for integrating into the new system while others have remained suspicious of the authorities in Damascus and pushed for an autonomous Druze region. On Wednesday, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said in a statement that the Israeli army 'will continue to attack regime forces until they withdraw from the area — and will also soon raise the bar of responses against the regime if the message is not understood'.
