Latest news with #militia
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gaza militia leader Abu Shabab: Oct. 7 not an excuse for Israel's collective punishment
Abu Shabab even hinted at a future in politics: "We will be what our people want us to be. We will not impose any political system on their will." Yasser Abu Shabab, a militia leader wanted by Hamas, has become a significant figure in Gaza, especially after his organization's Facebook page, "Yasser Abu Shabab – The Popular Forces," garnered widespread support. Among the prominent comments are expressions of support, including calls for protection and appreciation for "Commander Yasser," with one commenter stating, 'May Allah protect you and save you from harm. All support and appreciation for Commander Yasser,' while another added, 'If there were an election for governance in the Gaza Strip, I would give you my vote, Yasser.' One more comment strongly urges the defeat of Hamas: 'Finish them off and don't leave a single Hamas member alive,' and yet another expresses frustration with the political situation: 'Our people are under a heavy disaster because of personal interests, and we must fight this disaster to bring ourselves better lives.' This online support is a remarkable phenomenon: an armed figure advocating for dialogue and offering a new vision, one that is not just violent or oppositional, but ideological and moral. Who are the Popular Forces? Abu Shabab explained the core of the organization to Walla: "The Popular Forces is a Palestinian national and independent body, established to meet the need for civilian protection, humanitarian aid distribution, and securing areas that will not fall victim to terror or local extremism." "This is in response to the collapse of official systems and the dominance of a weapon-driven logic. "We are a non-political, popular movement that seeks to build a Palestinian society that is stable, free from violence, peaceful, secure, living with dignity, and believing in dialogue as a legitimate means to achieve future understandings," he added. When questioned about the October 7 attack, Abu Shabab said: "Hamas's decision on 7/10 justified the attacks on Gazans, a failed military decision that led us to hell. But 7/10 is not an excuse for Israel's collective punishment policy against our people and the killing of innocent civilians." "Our weapons are for the protection of our people from anarchy within the Gaza Strip, from oppression, corruption, and from those who exploit Gaza's population under the guise of resistance or religion," he said when asked if he would one day target Israel. "Our weapons are not intended for anyone outside our borders." "We will protect civilians, create international pressure, and push for an end to the violence that no one wants to escalate." He also emphasized that he believes that Israel has the right to live in peace. "Just as the Palestinian people have the right to live freely, safely, and with dignity in their country, Israelis also have the right to live in security and peace, within internationally recognized borders, based on a non-aggression pact," he said. "We do not see the Israeli people as our enemy. Mutual security begins with respecting the basic rights of our people. Anyone who does not threaten us will be met with discretion." Ceasefire and a new vision for Gaza Abu Shabab emphasized the urgency of a ceasefire in war-torn Gaza. "A ceasefire is essential as hunger worsens. Palestinians need time to breathe and establish safe humanitarian zones free from violence, where their demand for dignity can be met," he said. "The Gaza Strip after the war will be a disaster-stricken area requiring international cooperation to rehabilitate it, so its citizens can live dignified lives and be compensated for the pain of war, thus ending the era of violence." Abu Shabab also hinted at a future in politics. "We will be what our people want us to be. We will not impose any political system on their will." Over time, his organization has grown in strength, with some claiming it is a branch of the Palestinian Authority. Abu Shabab, however, denies any such affiliation. "We are not subordinate to the Palestinian Authority; we are fully independent. Attempts to link us to the authority are meant to undermine our legitimacy." "While several parties, including the [Palestinian] Authority, provided small aid at our start, this does not affect our independence. We welcome any support that aligns with our goals: protecting civilians, preventing aid theft, and strengthening justice and dignity." Hamas's response and Abu Shabab's defiance As Abu Shabab's influence grows, Hamas has launched attacks against him. Gaza's Interior Ministry, which is affiliated with Hamas, issued an arrest warrant on charges of "treason," threatening him with trial in absentia. Hamas-affiliated Arab channels have also issued threats. Abu Shabab, however, remains defiant. "We are not afraid of Hamas. They should not think of attacking us—we have unexpected surprises. It's our right to have public support that believes in us. This is the right form of democracy. "Hamas has already lost its popularity. It must apologize to our people for the decision to carry out the 7/10 attack, leave the leadership, and implement the will of the Palestinian and Arab people, not Iran's. Our religion, Islam, is one of justice, security, and peace. We were not born to fight forever, but to live with dignity on our land." While it remains unclear whether the Popular Forces will replace Hamas, one thing is certain: Abu Shabab's figure—armed yet advocating for dialogue—signals a breaking of the fear barrier and the beginning of a new conversation in the Gaza Strip. Solve the daily Crossword
The National
6 days ago
- Politics
- The National
'We fear we're next': Druze in Damascus lock doors after fighting in Syria's south
In Jaramana, the largest Druze -majority district of Damascus, fear has taken root. Shops once buzzing with late-night customers now close before sundown. Streets grow silent after dark. Behind closed doors, families speak in hushed tones, watching videos from Sweida on repeat – scenes of charred homes, collapsing hospitals, and bodies pulled from the rubble. A ceasefire may have halted the gunfire in Syria 's south, but the dread is still spreading north. 'We don't trust this quiet,' said Khaldoun, a 35-year-old mechanic. 'After what happened in Sweida, we're locking our doors earlier. We hear rumours that more militia groups are coming. We've seen how fast things can change.' Last week's brutal assault on Sweida, one of Syria's last remaining Druze strongholds, left more than 500 people dead – among them fighters from both sides, women, children, and civilians. Entire neighbourhoods were stormed by tribal militias and pro-government fighters. Mortar shells struck residential blocks, and water tanks were reportedly poisoned by attackings groups. The main hospital was overwhelmed and partially destroyed, unable to treat the wounded or store the dead as electricity and refrigeration failed. Witnesses described the city as a war zone, with bodies left to rot in the streets and entire families missing. Bassel, a 24-year-old medical student from Sweida now living in Damascus, told The National: 'Who are we supposed to mourn first? The numbers are too large to comprehend. 'The bodies of our people, our families, our friends … scattered everywhere. The world moved on while we drowned in blood, buried under attack. We won't forgive. No one should stay silent in the face of injustice.' For the Druze of Jaramana, the aftermath is more psychological than physical – but no less traumatic. Known for its complex relationship with the Syrian state, Jaramana is home to thousands of people originally from Sweida. The ties between the two communities are social, religious and deeply personal. So when Sweida burnt, Jaramana felt the heat. 'There is no doubt that the escalation in Sweida will have consequences here,' said Salman Katbeh, a political activist in Jaramana. 'Our priority was to prevent the unrest from spilling over. We didn't want a bloodbath. Community elders worked hard to keep things calm, especially with the younger generation. But we're all walking a tightrope.' As rumours of retribution swirl, local leaders in Jaramana have tried to prevent provocations. 'There were protests,' Mr Katbeh said. 'The Syrian flag was taken down temporarily, but then put back up. You can't stop people from reacting emotionally – you can only try to keep it under control.' In private, the fears are more specific. 'If some groups can't go fight Israel,' Mr Katbeh continued, 'they might turn their guns on us instead. We reject the idea that Israel's strikes were somehow 'because of the Druze.' That kind of narrative is dangerous and false.' On Tuesday night, Israel bombed several sites around Damascus, killing at least 15 pro-government personnel and levelling parts of the Ministry of Defence. The strikes added another layer of complexity to an already combustible situation. As missiles lit up the sky, residents in Jaramana huddled indoors – uncertain whether the war outside was coming home. 'It's like we're surrounded,' Bassel said. 'From the sky, from the ground, even from our neighbours. When Israel bombs us, we expect fear. But now we fear our own.' The Syrian government's response has been cautious. President Ahmad Al Shara addressed the nation on Thursday, insisting the Druze remain 'an integral part of Syria's social fabric' and rejecting any notion of separatism. Mr Al Shara said the state had delegated the task of securing Sweida to local factions and religious leaders – a decision he described as a 'national safeguard' to avoid wider conflict. But in Jaramana, those reassurances ring hollow. 'The damage is already done,' said one Druze resident, who asked to remain anonymous. 'We no longer know who to trust – the army, the militias, the neighbours. If Sweida was punished for being neutral, what does that mean for us?.' Druze boycott Economic warfare has followed the physical violence. A coalition of Damascus-based merchants aligned with pro-government circles announced a full boycott of Sweida, accusing its people of treason and collusion with Israel. Hawala networks were severed, money transfers frozen, and Druze merchants blacklisted from city markets. According to Syria analyst Aymenn Tamimi from the Middle East Forum, the fallout reflects something deeper and more systemic. 'The events in Sweida have sent shock waves through Syria's Druze population,' he told The National. 'What we're seeing now is a mix of political retribution, localised power struggles, and weaponised sectarianism. The Druze in Damascus are especially vulnerable – not just physically, but socially. They've lived in a delicate balance, but that balance is eroding quickly.' Over 100 bodies remain unburied or unidentified in Sweida. The main hospital is barely functional, its medical staff running on no sleep, with no space in morgues and no supplies left. Thousands remain displaced. And as tension simmers, the fear of further escalation hangs over Druze communities like a cloud that refuses to lift. And while political actors debate responsibility, people in Jaramana are preparing for the worst. In the end, these are not isolated tragedies – they are cries from a country at war with itself, the Druze of Damascus brace for what they pray won't come next.
CTV News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
CTV National News: What we know of an alleged anti-government militia's weapons stockpile
CTV National News: What we know of an alleged anti-government militia's weapons stockpile Canada's defence department says none of the weapons stockpiled by an alleged anti-government militia belonged to the military. Colton Praill reports.
CBC
14-07-2025
- CBC
Father of Quebec man accused in extremist plot says son was framed
The father of one of the Quebec men accused of plotting an anti-government militia tells CBC News his son and the others are being framed. Philippe Audet says his 24-year-old son wouldn't hurt a fly.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused of facilitating terrorism used quarry outside Quebec City for target practice
One of the men accused of creating an anti-government militia appears to have used a commercial sand quarry in the Quebec City area as a makeshift firing range. CBC's visual investigations unit has geolocated images posted to Raphaël Lagacé's Facebook pages where he poses with multiple high-calibre sniper rifles. The images were taken at a quarry in Saint-Joachim, Que. The quarry is owned by Les Entreprises LT Ltée/Béton Lagacé. It overlooks the St-Lawrence River and is just south of Mont-Sainte-Anne, a ski resort. In photos, Lagacé appears at the quarry with numerous rifles. Excavation equipment is visible in the background of some of the photos. Lagacé wears ear protection and lies prone, with his hands wrapped around the rifles, aiming at a target off-camera. In the photos and other videos that CBC News has verified as being filmed at the quarry complex, it is not clear if Lagacé is firing the weapons, but there are boxes of ammunition positioned near the weapons. In posts on his Instagram account, Lagacé said he was training for an "extreme long-range" shooting competition. In another video posted to Lagacé's Facebook in 2013, he does fire at a target located in a sandpit. CBC News was unable to verify if that video was taken at the same quarry. The force of the gunshot shakes the camera, and a man uses an expletive off-camera when the gun is fired. CBC does not know the context in which these photos and videos were filmed. Lagacé has been charged with facilitating terrorist activity. The RCMP allege he and three other men hoarded weapons, engaged in military-style training and intended to forcibly take possession of land in the Quebec City area. An RCMP news release issued Tuesday included a photograph showing a group of men engaged in "military-style training" that was taken in a quarry. CBC News was unable to confirm if the quarry in the RCMP photo was located at the Les Entreprises LT Ltée/Béton Lagacé location, but the company's sand quarry site is extensive. Les Entreprises LT Ltée/Béton Lagacé declined requests for comment and declined to answer questions, including whether there is a familial connection between the company and Lagacé. A woman who answered the phone at Les Entreprises LT Ltée/Béton Lagacé said "no comment would be made. No response to any question." Yannick Lagacé, one of the shareholders of Béton Lagacé, said he would not comment. Here is how we found the exact location of Lagacé's social media posts: First, CBC reporters found, and confirmed, his social media profiles. Then, a scan of his Facebook feed revealed multiple images featuring LT Ltée/Béton Lagacé trucks and machinery. A search of the company's website revealed that they operated multiple quarries in the Quebec City area. We tried to see if any of these quarries matched the locations where Lagacé appeared to be handling his weapons. We knew from the photographs that we were looking for a sandy area and, in some photographs, background hills and a river were visible. One of the company's quarries was located on a hill, advertised on their website as having a vantage point over the north shore of the St-Lawrence River. Using Google Earth and satellite imagery, we scanned the quarry and matched the terrain features to the features behind Lagacé. Then, in another video posted to Lagacé's Facebook, we see a man handling a rifle. Again, we see features that seem to indicate a quarry. This time, the video is taken from a different angle, and, in the background, we see Mont-Sainte-Anne, the ski resort. Again, using Google Earth, we matched that same angle of the ski hill to the quarry. The four men appeared in court virtually on Tuesday and remain in custody. Their next court date is July 14.
