Latest news with #Syrians
The Star
an hour ago
- Politics
- The Star
Longest-held prisoner demands justice
SYRIAN fighter pilot Ragheed Tatari was 26 when he was arrested. Now 70, the country's longest-serving political prisoner is finally free after Bashar al-Assad's fall, seeking justice and accountability. Tatari, arrested in 1981 and sentenced to life behind bars, was among scores of prisoners who walked free when long-time ruler Assad was overthrown on Dec 8 in a rebel-led offensive. He has made it out alive after 43 years in jail, but tens of thousands of Syrian families are still searching for their loved ones who disappeared long ago in Syria's hellish prison system. 'I came close to death under torture,' Tatari said in his small Damascus apartment. Since a military field court gave him a life sentence for 'collaborating with foreign countries' – an accusation he denies – Tatari was moved from one prison to another, first under the late president Hafez al-Assad and then his son, Bashar, who succeeded him in 2000. Showing old pictures of him in his pilot uniform, Tatari said he was not seeking revenge, but stressed that 'everyone must be held accountable for their crimes'. 'We do not want anyone to be imprisoned' without due process, said Tatari. More than two million Syrians were jailed under the Assad dynasty's rule, half of them after anti-government protests in 2011 escalated into civil war, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor. The Britain-based monitor says around 200,000 died in custody. Diab Serriya, co-founder of the Association of Detainees and Missing Persons of Saydnaya Prison, said that Tatari was 'the longest-serving political prisoner in Syria and the Middle East'. Rights group Amnesty International has called the notorious Saydnaya prison outside Damascus a 'human slaughterhouse'. Tatari had been detained there, but he said his 15 years in the Palmyra prison in the Syrian desert were the most difficult. Wished for death The Palmyra facility operated 'without any discipline, any laws and any humanity', Tatari said. Detainees were 'not afraid of torture – we wished for death', he added. 'Everything that has been said about torture in Palmyra ... is an understatement.' 'A guard could kill a prisoner if he was displeased with him,' Tatari said, adding that inmates were forced under torture to say phrases like 'Hafez al-Assad is your god', although he refused to do so. In 1980, Palmyra witnessed a massacre of hundreds of detainees, gunned down by helicopters or executed in their cells after a failed assassination attempt on Hafez al-Assad. Tatari said he was completely disconnected from the outside world there, only learning of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union through a prisoner who had returned from a hospital visit. In Sweida prison in the south, where Tatari was transferred after the 2011 revolt began, some inmates had phones that they would keep hidden from the guards. 'The cell phone gets you out of prison, it makes you feel alive,' he said, recalling how he used to conceal his device in a hole dug in his cell. But after his phone was discovered, he was transferred to a prison in Tartus – his final detention facility before gaining freedom. Dreams of escape Tatari was one of several military officers who were opposed to Syria's intervention in Lebanon in 1976, and to the violent repression in the early 1980s of the Muslim Brotherhood, Syria's main opposition force at the time. 'Many of us were against involving the army in political operations,' he said. After two of his fellow pilots defected and fled to Jordan in 1980, he escaped to Egypt and then on to Jordan. But he returned when security forces began harassing his family and was arrested on arrival. His wife was pregnant at the time with their first and only son. For years, the family assumed Tatari was dead, before receiving proof of life in 1997 after paying bribes, a common practice under the Assads' rule. It was then that Tatari was finally able to meet his son, then aged 16, under the watchful eye of guards during the family's first authorised prison visit that year. 'I was afraid... I ended the meeting after 15 minutes,' Tatari said. His wife has since died and their son left Syria, having received threats at the start of the protest movement, which had spiralled into war and eventually led to Assad's overthrow. During his time behind bars, Tatari said he 'used to escape prison with my thoughts, daydreams and drawing'. 'The regime getting toppled overnight was beyond my dreams... No one expected it to happen so quickly.' — AFP
Los Angeles Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Israel strikes military tanks in southern Syria, where government forces clash with Druze militias
BUSRA AL-HARIR, Syria — Israel's army said Monday it has struck military tanks in southern Syria, where government forces and Bedouin tribes clashed with Druze militias. Dozens of people have been killed in the fighting between local militias and clans in Syria 's Sweida province. Government security forces that were sent to restore order Monday also clashed with local armed groups. Syria's Interior Ministry has said more than 30 people have died and nearly 100 others have been injured. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor, reported at least 89 dead, including two children, two women and 14 members of the security forces. The clashes in Syria initially broke out between armed groups from the Druze and Sunni Bedouin clans, the observatory said, with some members of the government security forces 'actively participating' in support of the Bedouins. Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine al-Baba said government forces entered Sweida in the early morning to restore order. 'Some clashes occurred with outlawed armed groups, but our forces are doing their best to prevent any civilian casualties,' he told the state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV. The observatory said the clashes started after a series of kidnappings between both groups, which began when members of a Bedouin tribe in the area set up a checkpoint where they attacked and robbed a young Druze man. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the observatory, said the conflict started with the kidnapping and robbery of a Druze vegetable seller, leading to tit-for-tat attacks and kidnappings. Syria's defense and interior ministries were deploying personnel to the area to attempt to restore order. The Interior Ministry described the situation as a dangerous escalation that 'comes in the absence of the relevant official institutions, which has led to an exacerbation of the state of chaos, the deterioration of the security situation, and the inability of the local community to contain the situation despite repeated calls for calm.' U.N. Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi expressed 'deep concern' over the violence and urged the government and local groups to 'take immediate steps to protect civilians, restore calm, and prevent incitement.' She said in a statement the clashes underscored the 'urgent need for genuine inclusion, trust-building, and meaningful dialogue to advance a credible and inclusive political transition in Syria.' In Israel, Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces. Syria's Foreign Ministry called for 'all countries and organizations to respect the authority of the Syrian Arab Republic and refrain from supporting any separatist rebel movements.' In a statement, it called for Syrians to 'cease acts of violence, surrender illegal weapons and thwart those seeking to dismantle the Syrian social fabric and sow discord and division.' Israel has previously intervened in Syria in defense of the Druze religious minority. In May, Israeli forces struck a site near the presidential palace in Damascus, in what was seen as a warning to Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The strike came after dozens were killed in fighting between pro-government gunmen and Druze fighters earlier this year in the town of Sahnaya and the Druze-majority Damascus suburb of Jaramana. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement at the time that Israel 'will not allow the deployment of (Syrian government) forces south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community.' Over half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981. While many Druze in Syria have said they do not want Israel to intervene on their behalf, factions from the Druze minority have also been suspicious of the new authorities in Damascus after former President Bashar Assad fled the country in December during a rebel offensive led by Sunni Islamist insurgent groups. On several occasions, Druze groups have clashed with security forces from the new government or allied factions. A group led by Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, a Druze spiritual leader who has been opposed to the new government in Damascus, on Monday issued a statement calling for 'international protection' and accused government forces and General Security agency of 'supporting takfiri gangs' - using a term for extremist Sunni militants. The Druze religious sect is a minority group that began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. In Syria, they largely live in the southern Sweida province and some suburbs of Damascus, mainly in Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya to the south. The Druze developed their own militias during the country's nearly 14-year civil war, during which they sometimes faced attacks by the Islamic State and other Islamist militant groups. Israel has taken an aggressive stance toward Syria's new leaders since Assad's fall, saying it does not want Islamist militants near its borders. Israeli forces earlier seized a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone on Syrian territory along the border with the Golan Heights and have launched hundreds of airstrikes on military sites in Syria. The Trump administration has been pushing for the new Syrian government to move toward normalization with Israel. Syrian officials have acknowledged holding indirect talks with Israel to attempt to defuse tensions, but have not responded to reports that the two sides have also held direct talks. U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack told The Associated Press last week that he believes normalizing ties will happen 'like unwrapping an onion, slowly.' Sanadiki and Sewell write for the Associated Press. Sewell reported from Beirut. AP writer Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut contributed to this report.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
UK reestablishes diplomatic ties with Syria as Lammy visits Damascus
Syria's state media noted, 'during the meeting, bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to enhance cooperation were discussed, in addition to regional and international development." Syria's new government took another step forward this weekend as it hosted UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Damascus. He met with Syria's President Ahmed al-Shara'a and also with Syria's Foreign and Expatriates Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. Shaibani is Lammy's counterpart in Syria. This comes at an important time for Syria as the country has launched a new visual 'identity,' changing key symbols of the state. The country has also revitalized its airports and is working to do outreach to key figures in Lebanon. Lammy is the latest important figure to visit Syria. Syria's state media noted that 'during the meeting, bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to enhance cooperation were discussed, in addition to regional and international developments.' The BBC noted that the UK is providing a support package for Syria to help with humanitarian aid and long-term recovery for the country. 'Lammy told the BBC the purpose of his meeting was to promote inclusivity, transparency, and accountability with the new government,' the BBC noted. "It's important that the UK leans in to ensure that the balance is tipped in the right direction, a balance towards accountability, transparency, inclusivity for all of the communities that make up this country, a prosperous one and a peaceful one,' Lammy said. "I'm here to speak to this new government, to urge them to continue to be inclusive, to ensure that there's transparency and accountability in the way that they govern…But [also] to stand by the Syrian people and Syria as it makes this peaceful transition over the coming months." At the same time, the grand mufti of Lebanon, Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, also 'affirmed that any positive developments in Syria would have a beneficial impact on Lebanon,' a report at Syrian state media said. Derian attended a meeting in Beirut with various local officials. 'If our beloved sister Syria is well, then we in Lebanon are well.' He added, 'We can only remain loyal to our people, our communities, and our surroundings.' This came as a delegation of Lebanon's religious group Dar al-Fatwa met with President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the People's Palace in Damascus. 'During the meeting, President al-Sharaa was awarded the gilded Dar al-Fatwa Medal by the Grand Mufti. Derian presented the medal in recognition of the president's Arab nationalist stances, his efforts, and his sacrifices in service of Syria,' SANA noted. At the same time, Syrians are celebrating a new 'visual' identity. This includes changing key aspects of state symbols, such as the eagle and stars, and other symbols that form how Syria is presented in official documents. These are symbols many people take for granted on government seals or on passports. Most people rarely consider the small details. However, Syria has been through a long trauma of the Assad regime and is now emerging as a new government with a new hope. Alongside that, there is a need to change all elements associated with the old regime. The new symbols are supposed to unite people and symbolize the unity of Syria's regions and groups.
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Syrian asylum claims will be processed again after months of limbo
Home Office minister Dame Angela Eagle has confirmed the Government will process asylum claims from Syrians again after these were paused following the fall of the Assad regime Syrians who have endured months of limbo can finally have their asylum claims processed, the Government has announced. Applications were paused after the fall of the brutal Assad regime in December. But asylum minister Dame Angela Eagle has confirmed decision making can resume. It comes as Syrian refugees visited Parliament to urge the Government to resume processing amid ongoing uncertainty about the new regime. Fareed Fakhoury, who is currently seeking asylum, said ahead of an event hosted by Asylum Matters: 'This uncertainty has gnawed away at our mental health - my wife and four boys bear the scars of war and displacement, and now we're forced to relive that anxiety here, day after day. 'Planning for the future feels like trying to build on quicksand. Legal support is out of reach so far, my children's education is on shaky ground, and we're shut out from society in ways big and small." Mum-of-three Afraa Hashem, a survivor of detention and the war in Aleppo, said: "Although I'm physically safe, the instability in my home country weighs heavily on me." READ MORE: Keir Starmer to have secretive catch-up with Donald Trump during Scotland golfing holiday Haytham Alhamwi, Chairman of the Syrian British Consortium said: "Behind every delayed case is a person, often a family, living in limbo, unable to move forward with their lives. Many have already built their lives in the UK, contributing to their communities and calling this country home." In December despot Bashar al-Assad, who had ruled Syria with an iron fist, fled to Russia leaving a vacuum in his wake. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper paused processing asylum cases so the Government could see what happened next. In an update to MPs, Dame Angela said: "This was a necessary step while there was no stable, objective information available to make robust assessments of risk on return to Syria. The Home Office has worked to lift the pause as soon as there was sufficient information to make accurate and well-evidenced determinations. "Today the government will publish updated country information which will enable decision making to resume. With this, protection claims can be processed and safe return reviews conducted in line with published policy for any Syrian nationals applying for settlement protection." The decision has been welcomed by human rights groups. Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: 'We welcome the Government restarting decision making on Syrians' asylum applications. We know the pause in decision making had left Syrian people trapped in further limbo, unable to work, move on with their lives and fearing for their future. 'However, the situation in Syria continues to be unstable, and we urge the Government to ensure that every asylum application is assessed on a case-by-case basis, ensuring the safety and protection of Syrians who would face extreme risk if they are returned.'
MTV Lebanon
5 hours ago
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Foreign Minister holds talks in Brussels with European Commission Vice President over common issues
Minister of Foreign Minister and Emigrants Youssef Rajji discussed with European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas, during his talks with her in Brussels, common issues between Lebanon and the European Union. Minister Raggi requested the European Union's assistance in pressuring Israel to withdraw from the five points and the rest of the occupied territories in southern Lebanon. Raggi also focused on the EU's auxiliary role in the dossier of the renewal of the UNIFIL peacekeeping force mandate. The Lebanese Foreign Minister also discussed with the European official the Lebanese government's decision regarding arms monopoly and affirmed that it "is proceeding with economic, financial, judicial, and administrative reforms," stressing the "need for the European Union to support Lebanon." He also presented the Lebanese government's plan to address the issue of displaced Syrians and the importance of their return to their homeland.
