Latest news with #al-Jolani
Saba Yemen
a day ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Syrian Observatory for HR documents deaths of 7,670 people since fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime
Damascus - Saba: The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented the deaths of 7,670 people across Syria between December 8, 2024, and June 6, 2025, as a result of ongoing violence and violations by local and foreign parties, along with widespread security chaos. The Observatory explained that 5,784 civilians were killed, including 306 children and 422 women, reflecting the fragility of the security situation and the increasing threat to the most vulnerable groups in society. In a human rights report, the Observatory documented patterns of killing and gross violations of the right to life that continued during the period following the collapse of the regime, with multiple parties responsible for committing these crimes, whether through direct killing or deliberate neglect of the safety of the population. According to the report, civilians accounted for 75.4% of the total number of deaths during the six months, while non-civilians accounted for 24.6%. The Observatory said: This distribution reflects a significantly higher proportion of civilians affected compared to non-civilians in documented incidents during this period. This report documents a series of violations and violent incidents that have claimed the lives of dozens, amid the absence of the state and the disintegration of security services. The report recorded casualties from stray bullets during public events and personal disputes, with civilians being killed unintentionally, reflecting the absence of even the most basic standards for arms control. It said: In the absence of security oversight, the frequency of explosions in markets and public streets has escalated, resulting in dozens of deaths. No party has claimed responsibility for these attacks, which have contributed to deepening the climate of daily terror among the population. In areas controlled by armed gangs, the report documented killings of civilians by members of armed gangs, whether during raids or through direct gunfire. It also highlighted cases of torture leading to death inside gang-run detention centers, amid a lack of accountability and independent oversight. In areas controlled by the al-Jolani gang, the report documented deaths under torture in official detention centers, amid a systematic denial of justice and detainees' legal rights. Instances of direct killings carried out by groups loyal to the al-Jolani gang were also documented in the post-collapse phase, reflecting the continued unchecked retaliatory violence. The report stated: "Despite its declining territorial control, ISIS continues to carry out assassinations and liquidations of its opponents, targeting individuals and various areas, exacerbating human losses and strengthening the presence of its active cells." It added: "The Israeli enemy also launched airstrikes on targets inside Syria following the fall of the regime, but some of these strikes resulted in the deaths of civilians, casualties documented by the report as part of cross-border operations." The report added: In northeastern Syria, repeated Turkish attacks on SDF-controlled areas have killed a number of civilians, including women and children, in clear violation of the laws of armed conflict. It continued: The report also documents cases of killing Syrians attempting to cross the border into Jordan and Turkey, where they were shot by border guards, highlighting the risks facing civilians. The report also documents violations attributed to SDF members, including summary executions and excessive use of force during security operations, raising questions about accountability mechanisms in these areas. The report also documented massacres committed on sectarian or revenge-related grounds, targeting individuals and families based on their previous positions or affiliations, in a scenario that reproduces cycles of civil violence and undermines the chances of reconciliation. It said: Six months after the fall of the Syrian regime, gross violations of life and human rights continue, amid a multiplicity of actors and a lack of genuine accountability. Based on the report, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights called for the establishment of an independent investigative mechanism, the enforcement of respect for international law by all parties, and ensuring full justice for victims. It also called for awareness-raising efforts, disarmament, and the removal of remnants of war. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)
Ammon
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Ammon
Syria between internal collapse and external influence: A state no longer viable
Ammon News - Syria, never far from the frontlines of regional turmoil, returns once again through the gateway of sectarian conflict. Just two months ago, the Syrian coast witnessed horrifying massacres targeting the Alawite community. Today, the violence returns, this time targeting the Druze minority, further fueling fears of civil war and reinforcing the notion that Syria's current structure is no longer several Arab countries moved swiftly to contain the Syrian crisis and gradually support the re-stabilisation of the regime, seeking to seize a historic opportunity to fill the power vacuum, it must be acknowledged that the interim leadership under Ahmad al-Shara' ('al-Jolani') has failed the fundamental test of statehood in under two months. Lofty rhetoric has not translated into real governance. The past five months can be summed up as a phase of declarations without shift In Syria is largely a product of regional dynamics, particularly the aftermath of the October 7 war, rather than the result of an organic national revolution. This means that Syria's primary challenge remains internal: how to present a credible domestic solution, build national consensus, and construct a political system acceptable to all after years of geographical, political, and societal a single faction monopolizes power while claiming to represent the entirety of the Syrian people—or attempts to impose authority over the whole territory, it is effectively circumventing reality. This approach naturally leads, and will inevitably continue to lead, to events that exacerbate internal strife and render sustainable coexistence increasingly internal challenges dominate, regional dynamics undeniably play a decisive role in shaping Syria's internal affairs. Since the fall of the central government, Israel has acted decisively to reshape Syria's military and security landscape. It has systematically dismantled Syria's military infrastructure and made efforts to prevent any possibility of its rehabilitation. Israel has also maintained a military presence in strategic parts of Syria, which it considers essential to its future security doctrine. This de facto reality, imposed by force, has reshaped Syria's geography, but it will inevitably also impact its political and societal measures have introduced a new layer to Syria's already complex equation, and have reopened channels of internal and regional realignment. In Syria's case, the Israeli role is arguably the most dominant among external actors. Since the October 7 attack, Israel has aggressively pursued military operations in any front it considers a assertive strategy in Syria, combined with the interim leadership's failure to present a viable national solution, has pushed many Syrian communities to seek external alliances for protection and survival. The so-called interim regime has overused the mechanism of forming investigative committees, tools that quickly lose relevance with each new outbreak of violence. Moreover, repeated references to 'uncontrollable elements' only further erode the regime's image and do not absolve it of a pragmatic perspective, any genuine solution to the Syrian crisis must include substantive, innovative proposals. At the same time, such a solution must affirm the principles of plurality and grant diverse Syrian communities some measure of autonomy. Before internal divisions deepen beyond repair, Syria needs a serious political framework, one that approximates a decentralized system—preserving Syria's unity on a macro level while allowing various groups to manage their own daily affairs and safeguard their cultural identities.
Jordan Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Syria between internal collapse and external influence: A state no longer viable
Syria, never far from the frontlines of regional turmoil, returns once again through the gateway of sectarian conflict. Just two months ago, the Syrian coast witnessed horrifying massacres targeting the Alawite community. Today, the violence returns, this time targeting the Druze minority, further fueling fears of civil war and reinforcing the notion that Syria's current structure is no longer viable. Although several Arab countries moved swiftly to contain the Syrian crisis and gradually support the re-stabilisation of the regime, seeking to seize a historic opportunity to fill the power vacuum, it must be acknowledged that the interim leadership under Ahmad al-Shara' ('al-Jolani') has failed the fundamental test of statehood in under two months. Lofty rhetoric has not translated into real governance. The past five months can be summed up as a phase of declarations without implementation. The shift In Syria is largely a product of regional dynamics, particularly the aftermath of the October 7 war, rather than the result of an organic national revolution. This means that Syria's primary challenge remains internal: how to present a credible domestic solution, build national consensus, and construct a political system acceptable to all after years of geographical, political, and societal fragmentation. When a single faction monopolizes power while claiming to represent the entirety of the Syrian people—or attempts to impose authority over the whole territory, it is effectively circumventing reality. This approach naturally leads, and will inevitably continue to lead, to events that exacerbate internal strife and render sustainable coexistence increasingly unattainable. While internal challenges dominate, regional dynamics undeniably play a decisive role in shaping Syria's internal affairs. Since the fall of the central government, Israel has acted decisively to reshape Syria's military and security landscape. It has systematically dismantled Syria's military infrastructure and made efforts to prevent any possibility of its rehabilitation. Israel has also maintained a military presence in strategic parts of Syria, which it considers essential to its future security doctrine. This de facto reality, imposed by force, has reshaped Syria's geography, but it will inevitably also impact its political and societal map. Israeli measures have introduced a new layer to Syria's already complex equation, and have reopened channels of internal and regional realignment. In Syria's case, the Israeli role is arguably the most dominant among external actors. Since the October 7 attack, Israel has aggressively pursued military operations in any front it considers a threat. Israel's assertive strategy in Syria, combined with the interim leadership's failure to present a viable national solution, has pushed many Syrian communities to seek external alliances for protection and survival. The so-called interim regime has overused the mechanism of forming investigative committees, tools that quickly lose relevance with each new outbreak of violence. Moreover, repeated references to 'uncontrollable elements' only further erode the regime's image and do not absolve it of responsibility. From a pragmatic perspective, any genuine solution to the Syrian crisis must include substantive, innovative proposals. At the same time, such a solution must affirm the principles of plurality and grant diverse Syrian communities some measure of autonomy. Before internal divisions deepen beyond repair, Syria needs a serious political framework, one that approximates a decentralized system—preserving Syria's unity on a macro level while allowing various groups to manage their own daily affairs and safeguard their cultural identities.
Middle East Eye
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Israel threatens new Syrian president and confirms strike on Damascus
Israel carried out an air strike on the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday, as its defence minister threatened Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. 'Wherever terror activity against Israel is organised, the extreme Islamic leader al-Jolani will find the Air Force aircraft flying above and striking terror targets,' Israel Katz said, using Sharaa's former nom de guerre. 'Islamic terrorism will not have immunity in Damascus nor anywhere else.' Israel's military said it was targeting what it described as a command centre belonging to Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which it said was used to direct 'terrorist activities' against Israel. Middle East Eye could not independently verify the claim. The strike took place in a residential area at the edge of Damascus, Syrian state media reported. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters A short video published by Israel's military showed what appeared to be an explosion at the edge of a building followed by thick plumes of smoke. The target of the strike was a Palestinian person, two Syrian security sources told Reuters. It was not immediately clear if anyone was wounded in the attack. Elsewhere on Thursday, Israeli forces advanced into the countryside in Syria's al-Quneitra region with tanks and military vehicles, detonating former military sites, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Last month, Israel carried out a series of air strikes on what it said were military bases in Syria, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech demanding a 'complete demilitarisation' of the country's south. At least two were killed in the attacks. Why Israel wants Syria to become a failed state Read More » According to Syrian media, the strikes hit the town of Kiswah, south of Damascus, and several parts of the Daraa province. During his speech last month, Netanyahu made specific reference to Syria's Druze community, who live predominantly in the Sweida region. 'We will not tolerate any threat to the Druze community in southern Syria,' he said. On Thursday, Israel's foreign ministry confirmed it had sent humanitarian aid to Druze communities in Syria over the past few weeks. Last week, Israel announced that it would let Syrian Druze workers apply for work permits to work in the occupied Golan Heights - an area already made up of a majority Syrian Druze population. Analysts have suggested that Israel's overtures to the Druze community are part of attempts to divide Syria, which overthrew the decades-long rule of Bashar al-Assad in December. Israel has carried out heavy air strikes against Syrian military infrastructure since December, leaving the new administration - already battered from 14 years of civil war - with little capacity to respond militarily.
Euronews
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Israeli air force hits terrorist targets in Damascus, defence minister says
By Euronews Media outlets in Israel, quoting Syrian sources, said Israeli aircraft struck the building on the edge of the Syrian capital. ADVERTISEMENT Israeli jets conducted an air strike in Damascus on Thursday in an anti-terrorist operation, Israel's defence minister said. 'Wherever terror activity against Israel is organised ... al-Jolani will find the Air Force aircraft flying above and striking terror targets,' Israel Katz said, referring to the interim president of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa by his nom-de-guerre, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. Media outlets in Israel, quoting Syrian sources, said that the Israeli aircraft struck the building in the outskirts of the Syrian capital. Katz did not say what was targeted in the strike, and there has been no immediate comment from the IDF about the operation. However, two Syrian security sources told Reuters that the target was a Palestinian national. Additionally, a military correspondent for Israeli army radio said the jets targeted the Islamic Jihad headquarters in Damascus. This is a developing story and our journalists are working on further updates.
