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The National
18-03-2025
- Politics
- The National
Syria's current political transition isn't enough to end its cycle of violence
When the Syrian Popular Resistance militia, a faction loyal to the erstwhile Assad leadership, attacked the interim government's security forces and civilian hospitals in Latakia this month, the latter responded, but many other armed elements and individuals also joined the fray. In the melee, many hundreds of Alawite civilians were massacred. It is still unclear to what extent those atrocities were caused by government forces acting outside of directives issued by Damascus as opposed to armed elements and individuals with loose to no connection to the authorities taking advantage of the chaos to pursue 'revenge killings' against Alawites. Nonetheless, the government has largely restored control over Latakia and the surrounding region, declaring that it will hold those responsible for the civilian murders to account. However, as seen from the terrified reactions from the country's minority groups in recent days – exacerbated by Iranian and Hezbollah-supported disinformation campaigns that inflated the death count and peddled atrocity propaganda – such tragedies can easily spiral into country-wide instability. And preventing such situations from occurring in the future will largely come down to establishing a representative and inclusive transitional government in Damascus as soon as possible. Ensuring the centralisation (or at least better integration) of armed elements across the country, as well as enabling a legitimate transitional justice process to hold those guilty of Assad regime crimes to account, are both vital to stop disasters like the one just witnessed from happening again. Failing to establish an inclusive government is the bottleneck that will prevent these two imperatives from being achieved. First, and as I wrote previously in these pages, many armed factions in Syria are refusing to disarm and integrate into the new military because they either question the legitimacy of the new administration or lack confidence in its prospects for inclusive, benevolent rule. Elements of these factions were probably involved in the massacres perpetrated against Alawite civilians. Second, the fact that holding to account criminals associated with the Assad establishment has not started yet means sections of society are primed to pursue vigilante justice against an Alawite population that made up most of the previous regime. Such street justice, as seen over the past days, often doesn't distinguish between innocent and guilty Alawites. The solution – an accepted and legitimate transitional justice process – is something that can be achieved only if a transitional government that has the ethos and representativeness necessary to engage with the spectrum of civil society is established. Unfortunately, last month's Syrian National Dialogue Conference, a gathering held ostensibly to lay the ground for the formation of such a transitional government, was rushed and didn't cover all the bases. The conference was not adequately representative. Young people were underrepresented, the leaders of various armed groups were absent, and the Kurdish official leadership from the Kurdish-majority areas of north-east Syria were also absent. Women constituted just 20 per cent of the attendees, and some heavily populated, politically significant and societally diverse provinces had notably fewer representatives than others. The conference was not sufficiently substantive either. Its final statement – meant to serve as the guiding document for the formation of the transitional government – did not discuss power sharing, the rule of law, government formation, state political identity or governance structures. It also left out key points that had been discussed at the conference. Major disagreements on key issues were not ironed out. It is, therefore, critical for regional and international stakeholders to push the interim administration to address these shortcomings before it proceeds to create a transitional government. The committee that will apparently be formed to draft a permanent constitution should work with the conference preparatory committee to expand the national dialogue process to ensure it is properly representative and substantive. This can be done by expanding and improving the local consultation process – the two-week exercise preceding the conference that was geared to give communities across the country a chance to be heard by the national dialogue committee. Aside from being rushed, concerns emerged that these consultations lacked sufficient depth, and it was not clear if there was any mechanism for recording attendees' contributions. The transitional constitution that was released late last week – which will last for five years until the permanent constitution is consolidated – has elements that could be problematic, like for instance the amount of power granted to the executive office. Accordingly, the new committee tasked with drafting the permanent constitution should work with the national dialogue committee to consolidate a far more systematic, rigorous and sustained process, beginning with local consultations and feeding into the national-level dialogue, addressing the aforementioned deficiencies. This will provide a much more representative and substantive discourse to inform the drafting of Syria's new constitution. It will also enable a more deliberative process for setting up a transitional government. All of this is necessary for the formation of a legitimate and genuinely representative transitional state that, by extension, reduces the possibility of tragedies like that just seen in Latakia from happening again.
Memri
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Weekly: February 22-March 1, 2025
The following are some of this week's reports from the MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) Project, which translates and analyzes content from sources monitored around the clock, among them the most important jihadi websites and blogs. (To view these reports in full, you must be a paying member of the JTTM; for membership information, send an email to jttmsubs@ with "Membership" in the subject line.) Note to media and government: For a full copy of these reports, send an email with the title of the report in the subject line to media@ Please include your name, title, and organization in your email. EXCLUSIVE: Dozens Of Western Activists From The US, UK, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, And Portugal Attend Nasrallah's Funeral In Beirut, Hizbullah Outlet Reports On February 23, 2025, a mass-event funeral for Hassan Nasrallah, the late secretary-general of Hizbullah, was held in Beirut, Lebanon. EXCLUSIVE: Western Activists Attend Funeral Of Lebanese Hizbullah Leader Hassan Nasrallah, Express Support For 'Resistance' On February 23, 2025, Hizbullah held a mass funeral for its slain leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashim Safi Al-Din in Beirut. EXCLUSIVE: Report: Baloch Groups Battled Iranian Military Using Heavy Machine Guns, Suicide Bombers In the afternoon on February 25, 2025, according to the local Baloch population, firing erupted between Baloch armed groups and the military forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in Chabahar. EXCLUSIVE: Afghan Taliban Media Outlet Warns: 'ISIS Militants Are Planning To Assassinate' Pakistani Religious Leader And Lawmaker Maulana Fazalur Rehman' On February 18, 2025, a media outlet linked to the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Afghan Taliban) warned that ISIS jihadi fighters are planning to assassinate a Pakistani lawmaker and religious leader. EXCLUSIVE: Official Taliban Statement Threatens Suicide Attacks On ICC After It Seeks Arrest Of Taliban Leader Mullah Hibbatullah: 'Sheikh Sahab (Hibbatullah)... Has Over 20 Million Young Istishhadi [Martyrdom-Seeking] Forces' In a comprehensive report, a Pashtu-language Afghan daily examined the Taliban leaders' continuing use of Ishtishhadi ("martyrdom-seeking") forces, their deployment along the Afghanistan-Iran border during disputes between the two countries, threats to use suicide bombers against Pakistan, and a recent official Taliban statement threatening to execute suicide attacks against the judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) based in the Hague. Iran-Backed Syrian Popular Resistance Eulogizes Hassan Nasrallah; Honors Him With Attacks On Syrian Government The Syrian Popular Resistance issued a statement eulogizing late Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah on the occasion of his funeral in Beirut, Lebanon. Syrian Popular Resistance Recruits Youth For Armed Confrontation While Celebrating Announced Secession Of Local Military Council From The Syrian Government Telegram channels supportive of the Iran-backed Syrian Popular Resistance called on youth the join the group's ranks. 'Syrian Popular Resistance' Criticizes Druze For Affiliation With Israel, Ahmed Al-Sharaa's Fostering Of 'American Jihad'; Vows To Continue Fighting Against All Enemies The "Syrian Popular Resistance," an armed formation which opposes the new Syrian administration linked to jihadi group Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, aka Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani, issued a series of messages attacking Al-Sharaa forces and the Druze for seeking the approval of Israel and the United States, declaring that its forces know who the enemies are. Two Syrian Resistance Militias Announce Cooperation Against 'Terrorist' Regime And 'Occupation' Forces On February 19, on their Telegram channels, two newly-formed Syrian militias posted a joint statement that bears the logos of both militias. Syrian Foreign Ministry Welcomes EU's Partial Lifting Of Sanctions On Syria, Calls All Countries To Fully Remove Sanctions On February 24, 2025, the European Union Council lifted some of its sanctions on Syria, removing restrictions in the energy and transport sectors, ending the freezing of funds and economic resources from four banks and the Syrian Arab Airlines, introducing exemptions allowing transactions with Syrian banks in the energy and transport sectors and those needed for humanitarian and reconstruction purposes, indefinitely extending the existing humanitarian exemption, and allowing the export of luxury goods to Syria for personal use. Syrian Interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa's Appearance On Horseback In Damascus Sparks Reactions from Jihadi Clerics, HTS Supporters, And Syrians, Stirring Debates On Power, Betrayal, And Political Messaging On February 19, 2025, pro-Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Telegram channels shared a video and photos of Syrian interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad Al-Joulani, riding a horse on a racetrack in Damascus. Houthis Publish Poster Promoting 'Confrontation' With Jews Everywhere Including America On February 21, 2025, the website of Iran-backed Yemen's Ansar Allah Movement (Houthis) published a poster, on its Telegram channel, featuring a statement from an archived speech given by a Houthi leader to mark Al-Quds Day. Article By Houthis Warns: President Trump's Words On Gaza Are Sharp Like Swords, But Houthis' Military Action Will Thwart His Plan On February 18, 2025, Yemen's Iran-backed Ansar Allah Movement (the Houthis) published an article on its website in English, titled: "Trump's Storm Has Yet To Begin: The Plan Goes Beyond Displacement." Hizbullah Leader Na'im Qassem At Nasrallah Funeral: We Will Continue On Path Of Resistance 'Even If Our Homes Are Destroyed Above Our Heads;' Israel Must Complete Its Withdrawal; 'The Tyrannical U.S. Will Not Control Us' On February 23, 2025, Secretary-General of Lebanese Hizbullah, sheikh Na'im Qassem, delivered a 34-minute pre-recorded speech during a funeral for two Hizbullah leaders, Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safi Al-Din, who were assassinated by Israel on September 27, 2024, and on October 4, 2024, respectively, in a southern suburb of Beirut. For First Time Since He Was Appointed, Amid Rumors He Was In Iran, Hizbullah Posts Photo, Video Of Leader Na'im Qassem In Meetings In Lebanon With Iranian Officials On February 26, 2025, Hizbullah announced that its Secretary-General Na'im Qassem met with Iranian Foreign Minister and Speaker of the Parliament of Iran in Lebanon, before the two departed Beirut after traveling there to attend the February 23 funeral of Hizbullah leaders Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safi Al-Din. Official Delegations From Iran, Yemen, And Iraq Attend Funeral Of Slain Lebanese Hizbullah Leaders Hassan Nasrallah And Hashim Safi Al-Din On February 23, 2025, Lebanese Hizbullah held a formal funeral in Beirut for its leaders, Hassan Nasrallah and Hashim Safi Al-Din, who were assassinated by Israel on September 27 and October 4, 2024, respectively. Ahead Of Hassan Nasrallah Funeral, Senior Resistance Officials In Iraq, Yemen, Syria Pay Last Respects, Vow 'Like Sons To Their Father' To Adhere To Jihad Against 'Occupiers' And 'Tyrants' On February 23, 2025, Lebanese Hizbullah held a mass funeral for two of its leaders, Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safi Al-Din, who were assassinated by Israel on September 27, 2024, and on October 4, 2024, respectively, in a southern Beirut suburb. Iraqi Shi'ite Cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr Calls For Stronger Regional Solidarity To Reject Palestinian Displacement, Resist U.S. Influence, Maintain Stability In The Middle East On February 18, 2025, an Iraqi Shi'ite populist cleric posted a statement on both his official X account and on his Telegram channel, addressing the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, emphasizing Arab unity, resistance to U.S. influence, and the protection of Palestinian rights. After Hassan Nasrallah Funeral, Senior Officials Of Iran-Backed Iraqi Militias Vow To Continue On His Path: 'Avenging You Is An Obligation For All Free Men' On February 23, 2025, Lebanese Hizbullah held a public funeral for two of its leaders, Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safi Al-Din, who were assassinated by Israel on September 27, 2024, and on October 4, 2024, respectively, in a southern Beirut suburb. In Ten Days, Islamic State (ISIS) Affiliates In Africa Claim Killing Five Christians, Burning 20 Homes In DRC, Nigeria, Mozambique In ten days of activity, from February 12-22, 2025, the Islamic State Mozambique Province (ISMP), Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP), and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed five attacks against Christians. Islamic State (ISIS) Weekly Newsletter Releases Exclusive Photos Documenting Operations In Afghanistan, DRC, And Niger On February 21, 2025, the Islamic State (ISIS) released issue 483 of its weekly newsletter. Islamic State (ISIS) Weekly Editorial Lashes Out At Muslims For Abandoning Jihad; Scoffs At Shiites For 'Failing' To Uphold Faith, Vowing: 'Jihad Will Persist Until The Day Of Judgment' On February 20, 2025, the Islamic State (ISIS) released issue 483 of its weekly newsletter. WARNING – GRAPHIC: Islamic State Mozambique Province (ISMP) Documents Attack On Mozambican Army, Killing Two, Seizing Weaponry And Ammunition On February 21, 2025, Islamic State Mozambique Province (ISMP) released a statement claiming that on February 20, its fighters attacked a Mozambican army barracks with various weapons in the village of Bilibiza, in the Quissanga district of Cabo Delgado province. Afghan Taliban Media Outlet: ISIS Delegation From Syria Met With ISKP Commanders In Balochistan Province Of Pakistan On February 23, 2025, a media outlet linked to the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Afghan Taliban) claimed that a high-level delegation of the Islamic State (ISIS) met with senior commanders of its Khurasan branch in Pakistan. ISKP Scholar In Podcast: Afghan Taliban Are Like Jews, Christians, Apostates, And Polytheists; Fighting Them Is Jihad Recently, an online media outlet released three episodes of its Pashtu-language podcasts in which an Islamic State Khurasan Province (ISKP) religious scholar discussed relations between unbelievers and Muslims and cited examples from early Islamic history to argue that any Muslim siding with unbelievers becomes an apostate. ISKP-Linked Media Outlet Video On Facebook Warns Muslims Not To Join Other Jihadi Groups On February 13, 2025, an outlet linked to the Islamic State Khurasan Province (ISKP) released a four-minute Pashtu-language video warning Muslims not to join other jihadi groups such as the Taliban, Hamas, Hayat Al-Tahrir Shaam (HTS), and others who collaborate with non-Muslims. Sharing Photos And Documents From Islamic State (ISIS) Somalia Province, Supporters Praise ISIS For Implementing Shari'a, Discount Success Of Offensive Against Somalia Province Since December 2024, forces of Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region, in the country's northeast, have been engaged in an offensive against a stronghold of the Islamic State (ISIS) Somalia Province in the mountains of the Bari region. Islamic State (ISIS) Sahel Province, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) Document Attacks In Western Niger, Northeastern Nigeria; Casualties Reported In Niger On February 21, 2025, the Islamic State (ISIS) Sahel Province released a statement claiming that its operatives assaulted a position of "apostate Nigerien forces" in Sakoira, Niger's Tillaberi region, on February 19, reportedly clashing with them using "various weapons." Islamic State (ISIS) Critic Claims Group's Leadership Breached By Turkey; 'Caliphate Nucleus' No Longer In Syria; Future Decisions Likely To Be Made Elsewhere On February 21, 2025, an anti-Islamic State (ISIS) media outlet published a series of posts questioning the status of Syria as the nucleus of ISIS's self-proclaimed caliphate, and claiming that the organization's branches in Syria and Iraq have been breached by the Turkish intelligence service. Poster By German-Language Pro-Islamic State (ISIS) Media Outlet Threatens Spanish Cathedral, Uses Hashtag 'Let's Slaughter' To Incite Attacks In West On February 22, 2025, a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) media outlet released a poster in English and German versions titled: "O Muwahid [monotheist], Where Are You?" calling on Muslims to "make the next news yourself and show them your anger at what is happening to the Muslims. Pro-ISIS Poster Tells Lone Wolf Attackers To Target Four Public Events In Germany, Including One Held This Week On February 24, 2025, a pro-Islamic State (ISIS) media outlet released a poster in English and German promoting lone wolf attacks in Germany. Islamic State (ISIS) Supporter Condemns Continued Pursuit Of ISIS Sympathizers In Syria; Calls Interim President Al-Sharaa A 'Chameleon' Who Carries Seeds Of Self-Destruction On February 8, 2025, an Islamic State (ISIS) supporter on Telegram published commentary highlighting the ideological divide in the jihadi scene – particularly in Syria. In Photos: Al-Qaeda Affiliate Al-Shabab Reports Takeover Of Two Towns In Southern Somalia On February 25, 2025, the media arm of the Somalia-based Al-Shabab Movement, reported that another media wing of Al-Shabab had published a series of photos documenting the group's takeover of the town of Ali Ahmed in Central Shabelle state, southern Somalia. In New Video: Al-Shabab Leader Abu Ubaydah And Senior Commanders Convene A 'Consultative Meeting' With Group's 'Political And Wilayat Office' To Discuss Governance, Ideological Goals On February 25, 2025, the Somali-language media wing of Al-Shabab, released a video documenting the group's consultative, or advisory, meeting between the General Command of Al-Shabab group and members of the Political and Wilayat [Provinces] Office. Al-Qaeda Affiliate, Al-Shabab, Concludes Leadership 'Consultative Meeting' Encouraging Jihad Against Somali Government, Ethiopia, And Turkey, To Preserve Land, Wealth, And Rule Of Islam On February 25, 2025, the media arm of the Somalia-based Al-Shabab group, published the "closing statement" of a February 18 meeting between Al-Shabab's senior command and the administrative body of the group's "Islamic provinces." Al-Qaeda Affiliate Al-Shabab Claims Deaths Of Dozens Of Somali Soldiers, Takeover Of Somali Intelligence, Military Bases In Central Somalia In a series of statements on February 25, 2025, the media arm of Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia, Harakat Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen (Al-Shabab) claimed responsibility for the attack and takeover of a Somali Armed Forces military base and an intelligence base in central Somalia's Hiran region on the same day. Al-Qaeda Affiliate Al-Shabab Claims 'Sweeping' Attacks Against Government Militias in Somalia's Middle Shabelle Province, Taking Over Four Towns In a series of statements on February 20, the media arm of Al-Qaeda's affiliate in Somalia, Harakat Al-Shabab Al-Mujahideen (Al-Shabab), reported on "sweeping, wide-scale" attacks against four towns and their government militia bases in Somalia's Middle Shabelle province. Al-Qaeda Affiliate Group For The Support Of Islam And Muslims (GSIM) Launches Attacks In Eastern Mali And Northern Burkina Faso On February 18-19, 2025, Al-Qaeda's affiliate in the Sahel, the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), launched attacks on the Malian and Burkinabe armies, as well as Russian Wagner Group fighters. Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Denies Connection To 2021 Kidnapping And Recent Release Of Yemeni Sunni Preacher Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) released a statement denying involvement in the 2021 kidnapping of a Sunni preacher in the city of Tarim, in Yemen's Hadramawt Governorate, arguing such acts are not part of its normal operations. Al-Qaeda In The Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) Eulogizes Operatives Killed In U.S. Airstrikes, Releases Photos Of 'Martyred' Fighters On February 22, 2025, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) released a three-page statement eulogizing two of its operatives killed in U.S. airstrikes in southern Yemen on unspecified dates. Al-Qaeda Central Command Eulogizes Hamas Military Chief Mohammad Deif, Urges Gazans To Continue Jihad, Implement Shari'a On February 20, 2025, Al-Qaeda's Central Command issued a two-page Arabic-language "Statement on the Martyrdom of the Sword of Jerusalem, Sheikh Mohammad Deif – May Allah Accept Him." Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Statement Rejects Allegations By Pakistan's UN Ambassador That TTP Operates From Afghanistan In a February 13, 2025 Urdu-language statement, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) rejected as Pakistani "propaganda" Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Munir Akram's assertions at the UN Security Council that the TTP operates from Afghanistan. Dari-Language Media Report: Afghan Taliban Grant Quasi-Autonomous Regions To Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) And Other Jihadi Groups To House Families, Resembling Administrative Models In Pakistan In 1980s The Afghan Taliban have secretly transferred dozens of families of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters from the Gelan camp in the Khost province and the border areas of Paktika to refugee camps in Ghazni, according to a Dari-language media report. Afghan Taliban Police Letter Warns That Fatemiyoun Brigade And National Resistance Front (NRF) Fighters Are Planning Anti-Taliban Attacks In Afghanistan On February 13, 2025, an Afghan journalist published an official Dari-language letter from the Afghan Taliban's Jawzjan police headquarters telling the Taliban Interior Ministry and other government organs that insurgents intend to launch attacks in Afghanistan. Media Report Examines Afghan Taliban Leader Mullah Hibbatullah's Appointments Of Loyal Aides: 'Of Late High And Mid-Level Officials Are Changing Very Quickly Based On The Supreme Leader's Decrees; Some Of Them Have Been Fired' In a recent report, a Pakistani media outlet examined a series of new appointments made by Afghan Taliban's supreme leader. Online Media Outlet 'Tajik Watch' Accuses Afghan Taliban Of 'Policy Of Ethnic Cleansing' Against Tajiks In Afghanistan's Northern Provinces: 'If [Pashtun] Taliban Cannot Provide Security For The Tajiks, They Must Leave Tajik Lands So That The Tajiks Can Take Their Own Security Measures' An online media outlet accused the Afghan Taliban in a Dari-language statement for ethnically cleansing Tajik Afghans and called upon international human rights groups to bring the Taliban officials to justice. Afghan Taliban Inaugurate 'Jihadi Museum, Archive, And Library' In Kabul, To Be Administered By The 'Directorate For The Protection Of Jihadi Values' On February 16, 2025, the Afghan Taliban opened a jihadi museum, archive, and library in Kabul to showcase jihadi values and historical records of jihad against the U.S. and NATO forces, as well as exhibits from the earlier jihadi wars against Great Britain and the erstwhile USSR, according to reports by Taliban-run media outlets. Article In Taliban Magazine: Gaza Ceasefire Victory For Muslims And Failure For Israel, Proves Jihad Only Way To Defeat Enemies Issue 230 of an Arabic-language magazine, published on February 11, 2025 by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Afghan Taliban), contains a four-page article titled "The Sons of Zion Failed and Lost!" by Muhammad Ishaq Al-Salehi.
