Latest news with #pro-Turkish
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
The crisis in Syria's Sweida and its threat on Israel's northern border
The real question is not only whether Israel will help the Druze, but how it will do so without making them even more isolated in their homeland. Thousands of members of the Druze community in Sweida in southern Syria were massacred and looted this past July. What began as the local murder of a young Druze man in Damascus quickly escalated into a wave of kidnappings, mass killings, and large-scale attacks by pro-Turkish militias and local Bedouin elements. These crimes were documented and spread on social media as part of a terror campaign. To this moment, the population remains under a brutal siege — and the world is silent. 'At the time, I said that when [Bashar] Assad falls, Israel should lower its flag to half-mast — I was not mistaken,' IDF Col. (res.) Dr. Anan Wahabi told Walla. Wahabi, a fellow at the ICT at Reichman University, served in the IDF Intelligence Directorate, commanded operational units, and headed Israel's international strategic perception, psychological warfare, and cyber operations efforts. 'There's a de facto siege on the Druze there. It's a terror attack on the Druze,' he added, drawing parallels to October 7: 'It's terror from the same source that justifies murder, rape, and looting.' Now, the ICT warns: Israel cannot allow hostile terrorist forces to gain a foothold on its northern border. The question is not whether to intervene — but how. Sweida has become 'the arena the world forgot,' but Israel cannot ignore it. For the Jewish state, this is a double test: a test of morality toward the Druze community facing an existential crisis, and strategic, regarding threats to its northern border and the regional tensions as a whole. The position paper warned that over-involvement could drag Israel into a war of attrition in Syria, further damage relations with Turkey, and even ignite internal protests among Druze citizens of Israel — potentially leading to refusal to serve in the security forces. The paper was initiated by Reichman University President Prof. Boaz Ganor, a pioneer in the academic study of terrorism and founder of the ICT, and prepared by eight ICT fellows, including Wahabi. But if Israel sits on the sidelines, terrorist organizations could entrench themselves near the border, and southern Syria could become a base for attacks. On the diplomatic front, there are concerns that the new regime led by Al-Shaara could exploit the crisis to build international legitimacy as a 'terrorist in a suit.' On the other hand, the report points to the diplomatic potential in this tectonic shift. Israel could cultivate ties with Arab groups in preparation for 'the day after,' the Gaza war, strengthen its commitment to the Druze within Israel, and send a message of solidarity to all minorities in Syria, which could contribute to stabilizing southern areas of the country, strengthen the moderate regional bloc led by Saudi Arabia and Egypt, and secure its position as a central partner in a broad regional settlement led by the United States. US Republican Congressman Abraham Hamadeh, a former US Army reserve intelligence officer, made the first visit in decades by a US official traveling between Jerusalem and Damascus. He spent six hours in Syria this week to meet with President al-Sharaa. He also addressed the need for a secure humanitarian corridor to ensure safe delivery of medical and humanitarian aid to Sweida. He also addressed the need for a secure humanitarian corridor to ensure safe delivery of medical and humanitarian aid to Sweida — explicitly to advance former President Donald Trump's 'peace through strength' policy and to push Syria at this time toward normalization with Israel and joining the Abraham Accords. Until that happens, the report warns: overt Israeli involvement could be perceived as 'stamping an Israeli mark' on the Druze, making them even more isolated within Syria. Images coming from Syria of Druze waving the Israeli flag in gratitude for Israel's support are being framed in Syria and the Arab world as collusion with the enemy. Act cautiously, combine aid, diplomacy, limited military action The report details a series of steps Israel should adopt: 1. Controlled humanitarian aid – expand shipments of medicine and food, but via international mechanisms (Red Crescent, UN) to avoid harming the Druze. 2. Limited military action – avoid inserting ground forces and carry out only precise airstrikes in case of a direct threat to the border or the Druze. 3. Diplomatic measures – maintain close coordination with the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, but also keep a secret dialogue channel with Turkey to avoid direct confrontation. 4. Information campaign – expose the massacres through international media, mainly Al Jazeera, and counter propaganda portraying the Druze as 'Israel's proxy.' 5. Managing expectations with Israel's Druze – establish a joint command room with community leadership, allow legitimate protest but set red lines against attempts at independent action across the border. 6. Caution regarding autonomy – Israel shouldn't lead the initiative, but support it indirectly through civilian aid to avoid stigmatizing the Druze or provoking retribution. The emerging humanitarian corridor could serve as an interim solution — if managed carefully, with broad coordination and discretion. Ultimately, the real question is not only whether Israel will help the Druze, but how it will do so without making them even more isolated in their homeland. Wahabi believes that funding from Turkey and Qatar, which works to incriminate Israel's activities in Gaza, is working day and night to divert international attention away from what is happening in Syria. 'First, they created the crisis by essentially renewing an old historic conflict between the Druze and the Bedouin of Jabal al-Druze," according to him, "Along with that came a supposedly spontaneous call for help to the tribes and all of Syria — and suddenly forces arrive in large numbers from Turkish-controlled areas, with new vehicles, equipment, weapons, fuel, salaries — everything. Israel views this area as a demilitarized zone, but suddenly there's this side-story, an interim situation, that no one quite knows how to handle.' Solve the daily Crossword
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
EU sanctions Syrian militia groups over deadly March violence
BRUSSELS: The European Union sanctioned on Wednesday three Syrian militia groups and two of their leaders for serious human-rights abuses over their alleged involvement in deadly ethnic violence in March. More than 1,700 people were killed in attacks mostly targeting the Alawite community, which is associated with the clan of ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad, in Syria's coastal region in March. Brussels added the three pro-Turkish militia groups -- the Sultan Sulaiman Shah Brigade, the Hamza Division and the Sultan Murad Division -- to its sanctions list for their role in the killings. The groups targeted 'civilians and especially the Alawite community, including by committing arbitrary killings', the EU's official journal read. Sultan Sulaiman Shah Brigade's founder Muhammad Hussein al-Jasim and Hamza Division chief Sayf Boulad Abu Bakr were also added to the sanctions list. The latter was held responsible for 'serious human rights abuses in Syria, including torture and arbitrary killings of civilians'. The move comes a week after EU countries gave a green light to lifting all economic sanctions on Syria in a bid to help the war-torn country recover after the ouster of Assad. The decision was officially adopted Wednesday. US President Donald Trump has also announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria, ending more than a decade of diplomatic freeze. Syria's new rulers have been clamouring for relief from the crushing international punishment imposed after Assad's crackdown on opponents spiralled into civil war. But EU diplomats had warned the 27-nation bloc intended to impose new individual sanctions on those responsible for stirring ethnic tensions. Syria's 14-year civil war killed more than half a million people and ravaged the country.
The Sun
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
EU Sanctions Syrian Militias Over Ethnic Violence
BRUSSELS: The European Union sanctioned on Wednesday three Syrian militia groups and two of their leaders for serious human-rights abuses over their alleged involvement in deadly ethnic violence in March. More than 1,700 people were killed in attacks mostly targeting the Alawite community, which is associated with the clan of ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad, in Syria's coastal region in March. Brussels added the three pro-Turkish militia groups -- the Sultan Sulaiman Shah Brigade, the Hamza Division and the Sultan Murad Division -- to its sanctions list for their role in the killings. The groups targeted 'civilians and especially the Alawite community, including by committing arbitrary killings', the EU's official journal read. Sultan Sulaiman Shah Brigade's founder Muhammad Hussein al-Jasim and Hamza Division chief Sayf Boulad Abu Bakr were also added to the sanctions list. The latter was held responsible for 'serious human rights abuses in Syria, including torture and arbitrary killings of civilians'. The move comes a week after EU countries gave a green light to lifting all economic sanctions on Syria in a bid to help the war-torn country recover after the ouster of Assad. The decision was officially adopted Wednesday. US President Donald Trump has also announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria, ending more than a decade of diplomatic freeze. Syria's new rulers have been clamouring for relief from the crushing international punishment imposed after Assad's crackdown on opponents spiralled into civil war. But EU diplomats had warned the 27-nation bloc intended to impose new individual sanctions on those responsible for stirring ethnic tensions. Syria's 14-year civil war killed more than half a million people and ravaged the country.
France 24
28-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
EU sanctions Syrian militia groups over ethnic violence targeting Alawites
The European Union sanctioned on Wednesday three Syrian militia groups and two of their leaders for serious human-rights abuses over their alleged involvement in deadly ethnic violence in March. More than 1,700 people were killed in attacks mostly targeting the Alawite community, which is associated with the clan of ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad, in Syria 's coastal region in March. Brussels added the three pro-Turkish militia groups – the Sultan Sulaiman Shah Brigade, the Hamza Division and the Sultan Murad Division – to its sanctions list for their role in the killings. The groups targeted "civilians and especially the Alawite community, including by committing arbitrary killings", the EU's official journal read. Sultan Sulaiman Shah Brigade's founder Muhammad Hussein al-Jasim and Hamza Division chief Sayf Boulad Abu Bakr were also added to the sanctions list. The latter was held responsible for "serious human rights abuses in Syria, including torture and arbitrary killings of civilians". The move comes a week after EU countries gave a green light to lifting all economic sanctions on Syria in a bid to help the war-torn country recover after the ouster of Assad. The decision was officially adopted Wednesday. US President Donald Trump has also announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria, ending more than a decade of diplomatic freeze. Syria's new rulers have been clamouring for relief from the crushing international punishment imposed after Assad's crackdown on opponents spiralled into civil war. But EU diplomats had warned the 27-nation bloc intended to impose new individual sanctions on those responsible for stirring ethnic tensions. Syria's 14-year civil war killed more than half a million people and ravaged the country.
Memri
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Turkey's Power Play: The Battle For Tishreen Dam And The SDF's Strategic Collapse
Two months have passed since the military campaign led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which resulted in the overthrow of Bashar Al-Assad's regime and HTS imposing itself as a de facto government in Damascus. However, the situation in northern Syria remains markedly different. Since that time, the pro-Turkish factions, calling themselves the "Syrian National Army" (SNA), have escalated attacks on the Tishreen Dam area, located on the Euphrates River between Kobani and Manbij. Their goal is to seize control of this strategic dam from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), but despite the intensity of their attacks, including shelling and airstrikes launched by Turkish drones and warplanes, they have made little tangible progress. Simultaneously with the HTS campaign against the Syrian regime, which began on November 27, 2024, the SNA factions exploited the chaos to target areas where Kurdish forces (the Afrin Liberation Forces) and the SDF were deployed. These attacks were focused on the Shahba/Tal Rifaat pocket north of Aleppo – home to about 150,000 IDPs from the Kurdish region of Afrin since 2018 – as well as parts of the Manbij region. The SNA quickly gained the upper hand after Kurdish forces and the SDF withdrew toward the Euphrates River. This withdrawal turned the Euphrates line into a volatile front for nearly two months, with fierce fighting at two key locations: the Tishreen Dam and the Qaraqozak Bridge. The Tishreen Dam (Source: X) Turkey's Broader Strategy To Prevent The Kurds From Playing A Significant Role In Syria's Future Political Landscape The Tishreen Dam, the second-largest dam in Syria, holds significant economic and military value. Completed in the late 1990s, it controls an artificial lake that provides drinking water, irrigation, and electricity to tens of thousands of people, particularly in Kobani and Manbij. It also powers water pumping stations supplying Aleppo. Despite Turkey's blockade of the Euphrates River and declining water levels, the dam remains vital to regional infrastructure. It is also a key strategic crossing point over the Euphrates, making it a military prize for anyone seeking control of northern Syria. The SDF took the dam from ISIS in 2015, and its control played a pivotal role in subsequent operations, such as the liberation of Manbij in 2016. Turkey justifies its military actions in northern Syria by citing national security concerns, portraying the SDF as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Ankara considers a "terrorist organization." Despite the SDF's denials and attempts to engage the international community, Turkey persists in its military strategy. Many Kurds believe Turkey's narrative is aimed at preventing them from becoming a political actor in Syria's future and from achieving autonomy. Ankara's approach in northern Syria appears to be part of a broader strategy to suppress Kurdish political ambitions. Turkey's objectives go beyond confronting the SDF. It seeks to destabilize the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), which represents Kurdish interests in northern Syria. By targeting infrastructure like the Tishreen Dam, Turkey aims to cripple the region's economy, worsen living conditions, and potentially provoke popular discontent, which could be used to rally support for Turkey's proxy factions or even for the regime in Damascus. Furthermore, Turkey views the growing influence of Kurdish-led governance in northern Syria as a threat to its own Kurdish population, estimated at around 30 million. Turkey's military tactics in the region are part of a broader strategy to assert control and prevent the Kurds from playing a significant role in Syria's future political landscape. For the Kurds, the Tishreen Dam represents not just a vital resource, but also a symbol of resistance and survival. Its loss would have devastating economic repercussions, especially given Turkey's ongoing use of water and electricity as weapons against the Kurdish population. The risk of regional destabilization is high, affecting not only Kobani but extending along the Euphrates River to the Iraqi border. The presence of ISIS and other groups seeking to exploit the chaos further complicates the situation. Washington Must Pressure Ankara The Kurdish forces, however, continue to resist, demonstrating resilience in the face of sustained attacks. Their use of military strategies such as tunnels and FPV drones, locally known as "Brusk," showcases their adaptability and determination. The ongoing struggle over the Tishreen Dam threatens to escalate into a broader regional conflict, drawing in not only local actors but also international ones. Should the situation worsen, it could reignite instability across the region and fuel the resurgence of extremist groups like ISIS, with disastrous consequences for Syria, Iraq, and beyond. In this volatile context, the international community – particularly the United States – has a key role to play in mediating between Turkey and the SDF to prevent further escalation. The U.S. has supported the SDF in the fight against ISIS, and it is in its interest to prevent a return to extremism in the region. The situation in northern Syria is fragile, and a carefully managed diplomatic solution is essential to avoid further conflict and ensure long-term peace and stability. Washington must also exert pressure on Ankara to stop its hostilities toward the Kurdish people and to seek a peaceful resolution that respects their rights and aspirations. *Çeleng Omer, a prominent economist from Kurdish-led North and East Syria, is a former resident of Afrin and professor at Afrin University. He was forced to flee the region due to the ongoing Turkish occupation.
