[Tee tiong huat]

Western news and China news varies alot. It was reported that Assad negotiated with the opposition before leaving Syria. The opposition also agreed with Russia to have her military base remain in Syria

https://youtu.be/dB2siNPGHo8?si=bCsQuPePBbygV_FY

[Tee tiong huat]

https://youtu.be/dB2siNPGHo8?si=bCsQuPePBbygV_FY

Mazen al-Hamada, face of Syrian tragedy, executed at Sednaya days before Assad fell
Thousands of Syrians took to the streets of Damascus on Thursday to honor the memory of the man who lived the hell in Assad's cells and told the world about it.

[Tee tiong huat]

Mazen al-Hamada, face of Syrian tragedy, executed at Sednaya days before Assad fell as thousands of Syrians took to the streets of Damascus on Thursday to honor the memory of the man who lived the hell in Assad's cells and told the world about it.

https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/...-fell.html

[Tee tiong huat]

https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/...-fell.html

Among the horrific images coming out from Sednaya, the pandemonium of Assad’s prison hell, is a swollen face bearing the marks of torture. It is the face of Mazen al-Hamada. Two moles on his right cheek, a protruding jaw, gaunt features: enough for...

[Tee tiong huat]

https://youtu.be/dB2siNPGHo8?si=bCsQuPePBbygV_FY

Top Kurdish commander warns of 'bloody civil war' in Syria as Turkey & Islamists continue attacks. As Turkey has joined hands with Syrian Islamist groups, including the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), against the Kurds, the top Kurdish general has warned that the country may be headed into another round of ‘bloody civil war’

[Tee tiong huat]

Top Kurdish commander warns of 'bloody civil war' in Syria as Turkey & Islamists continue attacks. As Turkey has joined hands with Syrian Islamist groups, including the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), against the Kurds, the top Kurdish general has warned that the country may be headed into another round of ‘bloody civil war’

General Mazloum Abdi, commander of Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), warned country may be headed into another round of a “bloody civil war” if Turkey & Islamist continue carrying out attacks inside country. Both sponsors inside Syria, such as Syrian Nat Army (SNA) comprising mercenaries, criminal bands, been attacking Kurds in northern & eastern Syria. Both also been joined by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), main opp group led the offensive against Assad in attacks against Kurds. Kurds are an ethnic group spread across Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. Most of the Kurds Sunni. R Muslims also practice Christianity & Zoroastrianism among other religions. In Syria, Kurds run a regional govt northeast named Syria called Autonomous Admin North & East Syria (AANES). Kurds are mainly US ally in the region in the war against Islamic State (Isis), Turkey considers them enemies. Turkey equates SDF w/Kurdish group PKK, blamed insurgency inside Turkey considers a terrorist group. Turkey has for years attacked Syrian Kurds, sought to limit size of AANES farther from Turkish border.

Kurdish commander warns of ‘bloody civil war’
As Turkish military and Syrian militias have joined hands against Kurds, General Abdi said the SDF is under “constant attack”. “We are still under constant attack from the Turkish military and the Turkish-supported opposition which is called SNA,” said Mazloum in an interview with Fox News. Mazloum said that Turkey is carrying out up to 81 drone attacks a day amid “intensive” artillery bombardment. He went on to say that such an offensive has “paralysed our counterterror operation” IIf the new Syrian regime is not inclusive and if violence continues as it is, then Syria is headed into another “bloody civil war”, warned Mazloum.

“So any new govt in Syria needs representative, needs inclusive contain include all different parties of Syria. So if not that takes us to a bloody civil war in the country and that will put us in huge stage of escalatory path that no one can predict the fate of that,” said Mazloum. Fears of Islamic State’s resurgence. He warned spiralling violence in Syria could be fertile grounds for the resurgence of Islamic State. In safeguarding Kurdish territory conducting regular op against Isis, SDF is also responsible of guarding several prison complexes up to 45,000 Isis terrorists and their family members are put. Amid ongoing chaos in Syria. Turkey has opened a front against Kurds, fears attempts at freeing these prisoners could be made, which would be catastrophic for the region if it is successful.

Mazloum said half of his fighters guarding ISIS camps withdraw in recent days. “All the prisons still are under our control. However, prisons & camps are in a critical situation b'cos guarding them are leaving having to protect their families eg: like Raqqa ISIS prison, contains about 1,000 ISIS ex-fighters, number of guards diminished by half putting them in a fragile position.” he added, “We expect those Islamists, different factions to unite, to fight with ISIS will bring back tougher extremists, organisations back to country." Mazloum further said that even though a ceasefire was reached with Turkey-backed groups earlier this week with US mediation, the attacks continued both from Turkey & militias.

Over the weekend, the Turkey-SNA combine attacked Kurds in Manjib in eastern Syria. The attack in Manjib was followed by SNA’s offensive against the SDF in Kobani. Then, the HTS on Tuesday captured the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor from the Kurds, who had captured the city from Assad’s regime forces last week.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/top-kurd...g_rewarded

[Tee tiong huat]

General Mazloum Abdi, commander of Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), warned country may be headed into another round of a “bloody civil war” if Turkey & Islamist continue carrying out attacks inside country. Both sponsors inside Syria, such as Syrian Nat Army (SNA) comprising mercenaries, criminal bands, been attacking Kurds in northern & eastern Syria. Both also been joined by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), main opp group led the offensive against Assad in attacks against Kurds. Kurds are an ethnic group spread across Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. Most of the Kurds Sunni. R Muslims also practice Christianity & Zoroastrianism among other religions. In Syria, Kurds run a regional govt northeast named Syria called Autonomous Admin North & East Syria (AANES). Kurds are mainly US ally in the region in the war against Islamic State (Isis), Turkey considers them enemies. Turkey equates SDF w/Kurdish group PKK, blamed insurgency inside Turkey considers a terrorist group. Turkey has for years attacked Syrian Kurds, sought to limit size of AANES farther from Turkish border.

Kurdish commander warns of ‘bloody civil war’
As Turkish military and Syrian militias have joined hands against Kurds, General Abdi said the SDF is under “constant attack”. “We are still under constant attack from the Turkish military and the Turkish-supported opposition which is called SNA,” said Mazloum in an interview with Fox News. Mazloum said that Turkey is carrying out up to 81 drone attacks a day amid “intensive” artillery bombardment. He went on to say that such an offensive has “paralysed our counterterror operation” IIf the new Syrian regime is not inclusive and if violence continues as it is, then Syria is headed into another “bloody civil war”, warned Mazloum.

“So any new govt in Syria needs representative, needs inclusive contain include all different parties of Syria. So if not that takes us to a bloody civil war in the country and that will put us in huge stage of escalatory path that no one can predict the fate of that,” said Mazloum. Fears of Islamic State’s resurgence. He warned spiralling violence in Syria could be fertile grounds for the resurgence of Islamic State. In safeguarding Kurdish territory conducting regular op against Isis, SDF is also responsible of guarding several prison complexes up to 45,000 Isis terrorists and their family members are put. Amid ongoing chaos in Syria. Turkey has opened a front against Kurds, fears attempts at freeing these prisoners could be made, which would be catastrophic for the region if it is successful.

Mazloum said half of his fighters guarding ISIS camps withdraw in recent days. “All the prisons still are under our control. However, prisons & camps are in a critical situation b'cos guarding them are leaving having to protect their families eg: like Raqqa ISIS prison, contains about 1,000 ISIS ex-fighters, number of guards diminished by half putting them in a fragile position.” he added, “We expect those Islamists, different factions to unite, to fight with ISIS will bring back tougher extremists, organisations back to country." Mazloum further said that even though a ceasefire was reached with Turkey-backed groups earlier this week with US mediation, the attacks continued both from Turkey & militias.

Over the weekend, the Turkey-SNA combine attacked Kurds in Manjib in eastern Syria. The attack in Manjib was followed by SNA’s offensive against the SDF in Kobani. Then, the HTS on Tuesday captured the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor from the Kurds, who had captured the city from Assad’s regime forces last week.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/top-kurd...g_rewarded

In his first speech since seizing Damascus, Ahmad al-Sharaa, also referred to as al-Julani, leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, says al-Assad’s fall is the beginning of a “new history” for the region.

Syria's rebel leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has dismissed the online controversy over videos showing him gesturing to a young woman to cover her hair before he posed for a photo with her last week.

Syria rebel leader dismisses controversy over photo with woman
9 hours ago
BBC Monitoring

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X Ahmed al-Sharaa and Lea Kheirallah in Mezzeh, a suburb of Damascus, on 10 December 2024X
Ahmed al-Sharaa said he had not forced Lea Kheirallah to cover her hair when she asked for a photo with him in Damascus last week
Syria's rebel leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has dismissed the online controversy over videos showing him gesturing to a young woman to cover her hair before he posed for a photo with her last week.

The incident sparked criticism from both liberal and conservative commentators amid intense speculation about the county's future direction after rebels swept to power.

Liberals saw the request from the head of the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a sign that he might seek to enforce an Islamic system in Syria after leading the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, while hardline conservatives criticised him for consenting to be photographed with the woman in the first place.

"I did not force her. But it's my personal freedom. I want photos taken for me the way that suits me," Sharaa said in an interview with the BBC's Jeremy Bowen.

The woman, Lea Kheirallah, has also said that she was not bothered by the request.

She said he had asked in "gentle and fatherly way", and that she thought "the leader has the right to be presented in the way he sees fit".

However, the incident demonstrated some of the difficulties any future leader of Syria might have in appealing to and uniting such a religiously diverse country.

Sunni Muslims make up the majority of the population, with the remainder split between Christians, Alawites, Druze and Isrealis.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gpkzxy663o

[Tee tiong huat]

In his first speech since seizing Damascus, Ahmad al-Sharaa, also referred to as al-Julani, leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, says al-Assad’s fall is the beginning of a “new history” for the region.

Syria's rebel leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has dismissed the online controversy over
X Ahmed al-Sharaa and Lea Kheirallah in Mezzeh, a suburb of Damascus, on 10 December 2024X

Ahmed al-Sharaa said he had not forced Lea Kheirallah to cover her hair when she asked for a photo with him in Damascus last week

Syria's rebel leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has dismissed the online controversy over videos showing him gesturing to a young woman to cover her hair before he posed for a photo with her last week.

The incident sparked criticism from both liberal and conservative commentators amid intense speculation about the county's future direction after rebels swept to power.

Liberals saw the request from the head of the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a sign that he might seek to enforce an Islamic system in Syria after leading the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, while hardline conservatives criticised him for consenting to be photographed with the woman in the first place.

"I did not force her. But it's my personal freedom. I want photos taken for me the way that suits me," Sharaa said in an interview with the BBC's Jeremy Bowen.

The woman, Lea Kheirallah, has also said that she was not bothered by the request.

She said he had asked in "gentle and fatherly way", and that she thought "the leader has the right to be presented in the way he sees fit".

However, the incident demonstrated some of the difficulties any future leader of Syria might have in appealing to and uniting such a religiously diverse country.

Sunni Muslims make up the majority of the population, with the remainder split between Christians, Alawites, Druze and Isreals.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gpkzxy663o

Videos showing him gesturing to a young woman to cover her hair before he posed for a photo with her last week. Syria rebel leader dismisses controversy over photo with woman.

She said he had asked in "gentle and fatherly way", and that she thought "the leader has the right to be presented in the way he sees fit".
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gpkzxy663o

[Tee tiong huat]

Videos showing him gesturing to a young woman to cover her hair before he posed for a photo with her last week. Syria rebel leader dismisses controversy over photo with woman.

She said he had asked in "gentle and fatherly way", and that she thought "the leader has the right to be presented in the way he sees fit".
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gpkzxy663o

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gpkzxy663o

[Tee tiong huat]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gpkzxy663o

Lea Kheirallah asked to take a photo with Sharaa - who was previously known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani - when he toured the Mezzeh area of Damascus on 10 December.
[url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DDjmnS4CH6f/

]Before agreeing, Sharaa gestured for her to cover her hair and she complied[/url], raising the hood on her jumper and then standing beside him for the photo.
Many video clips and pictures of the incident were shared on social media, sparking widespread outrage among ordinary users and media commentators.
People with liberal or non-conservative views saw it as a troubling glimpse into Syria's possible future under HTS, fearing increasingly conservative policies like the requirement for all women to wear a hijab, or headscarf.
France 24's Arabic channel discussed the incident, with a headline asking if Syria was "heading towards Islamic rule".
Others were sharper in their condemnation. One Syrian journalist said: "We replaced one dictator with a reactionary dictator."
On social media, other commentators warned of "ultra-extremists" ascending to power, while others decried the "forcing of a free woman" to adopt a conservative look.

[Tee tiong huat]

Christmas in Damascus is different this year, after al-Assad’s fall. The ancient Old City comes alive with lights, music and joy, Syrians talk about their their hopes now al-Assad is gone.

Damascus, Syria – There’s something different Christmas this year, Damascenes say.

Although the decorations may have been more elaborate last year, Carol al-Sahhaf says this year’s festive mood is a cut above, less than two weeks after Bashar al-Assad fled and his regime crumbled.

On either side of the biblical Street Called Straight – or al-Mustaqeem or just Straight Street for short – lights and Christmas trees adorn the cafes, restaurants, shops and homes of Bab Sharqi, the neighbourhood nestled up to the Eastern Gate of the ancient Old City.

The alleyways around Straight Street are bustling, with a spring-like feeling in the air as shopkeepers repaint, dust off their shelves, and hang the green, white and black Free Syria flag.

Lights, cookies, and optimism
Al-Assad fled on December 8, and the country erupted into jubilation that lasted for days as Syrians celebrated the fall of the al-Assad family and the end of more than 50 years of brutal rule.

As those celebrations calmed, Olga al-Muuti told Al Jazeera, everyone turned to preparing for Christmas, New Year’s and Orthodox Christmas.
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2024/1...l-of-assad

[Tee tiong huat]

https://youtu.be/dB2siNPGHo8?si=bCsQuPePBbygV_FY

Inside Aleppo, the city Assad left to rot as a lesson in the price of rising up. Destruction in Aleppo’s Sha'aar neighbourhood. Photograph: David Lombeida/The Guardian

A decade on from the Guardian’s last visit, it is clear war has ripped the city apart – but there are signs of positive change

[Tee tiong huat]

https://youtu.be/dB2siNPGHo8?si=bCsQuPePBbygV_FY

Inside Aleppo, the city Assad left to rot as a lesson in the price of rising up. Destruction in Aleppo’s Sha'aar neighbourhood. Photograph: David Lombeida/The Guardian

A decade on from the Guardian’s last visit, it is clear war has ripped the city apart – but there are signs of positive change.

Bashar al-Assad’s face has been ripped away from posters at the abandoned checkpoint that separates Sheikh Maqsoud, a neighbourhood in the north of Aleppo, from the rest of the city. 

No cars dare use the wide boulevard any more because the road is still watched by Kurdish snipers allied to the regime. 

The units retreated into the warren of bombed and burnt-out buildings when Islamist rebel groups launched an unprecedented attack on the city at the end of November, triggering a chain reaction that led to the swift collapse of the Assad dynasty.

Civilians hurry past, some with small children in pushchairs, others rolling cooking gas canisters down the road, all trying not to attract undue attention. A man had been shot and killed here the night before, picked off from the upper floor of a windowless apartment block. 

Aleppo fell to an umbrella of Sunni Arab factions led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) three weeks ago, but the Kurdish units stationed in sheikh Maqsoud had for years refused to lay down their weapons, afraid of what would happen if they surrendered. 

Now, they appear to be waiting for something to shift in Syria’s new and fragile status quo.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/d...eft-to-rot

[Tee tiong huat]

WASHINGTON: The US doubled it number of troops it has in Syria as part of operations against Islamic State militant group to around 2,000 earlier this year, Pentagon said Thursday (Dec 19). US doubled troops in Syria earlier this year: Pentagon. 

Washington has for years said it has some 900 military personnel in Syria as part of international efforts against the jihadist group, which seized swathes of territory there and in neighbouring Iraq before being defeated by local forces backed by a US-led air campaign.

But there are now "approximately 2,000 US troops in Syria" and have been for at least a few months, Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told journalists, saying he had just received the updated figure.

"The additional numbers ... are considered temporary forces that are there to support the D-ISIS mission, to support the forces that are deployed there longer-term," Ryder said, referring to the mission to defeat Islamic State. 

Washington - which also says it has some 2,500 troops in Iraq - has for years carried out periodic strikes and raids to help prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State militant group.

But it has stepped up strikes since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government earlier this month, hitting areas previously shielded by Syrian and Russian air defences before a lightning offensive by rebels who now control the country.

On Dec 8 - the day the rebels took the capital Damascus - Washington announced strikes on more than 75 IS targets that the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said were aimed at ensuring it "does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria."

And on Monday, CENTCOM said US forces killed 12 militants from the group in strikes it said were carried out "in former regime and Russian-controlled areas".
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us...on-4817686

[Tee tiong huat]

U.S. delegation arrives in Syrian capital for first meetings since Assad's fall. The delegation is expected to meet with members of the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham rebel group, said a State Department spokesperson.

WASHINGTON — Senior U.S. officials arrived in Damascus on Friday for the first diplomatic mission to the Syrian capital since the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad this month.

The U.S. delegation, led by Barbara Leaf, the senior State Department official for the Middle East, is expected to meet with members of the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) rebel group, according to a State Department spokesperson. The group is acting as the de facto govt in Syria.

Those discussions are expected to focus on expectations for a transition to an inclusive Syrian government and the “hope to uncover information about fate of Austin Tice, Majd Kamalmaz & other American citizens who disappeared under Assad regime,” spokesperson said in a statement.

Roger Carstens, special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, who traveled to Damascus in 2020 for secret negotiations about Tice during the first Trump administration, is also a part of the delegation.

In addition to HTS, diplomats will meet with members of civil society, activists, members of different communities & other Syrians “about their vision for future of their country and how the US can help support them,” spokesperson said.

Daniel Rubinstein, a senior adviser for State Dept’s Middle East bureau, will lead dept’s diplomatic engagement on Syria, according to spokesperson, will “engage directly with Syrian people & key parties in Syria coordinate with allies & partners.”

Since Assad's ouster, Biden admin has come under increasing pressure to put U.S. personnel on ground to participate in the search for Tice, who was abducted in Syria 12 years ago. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday, US was in touch with “every possible actor who might be able to get info, involves anyone & everyone who has some relationship with different rising authorities in Syria.” 
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politic...rcna184968

[Tee tiong huat]

In Damascus meeting, US drops reward for arrest of Syria's new leader.

DAMASCUS: A senior US diplomat told Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday (Dec 20) that Washington was scrapping a reward for his arrest, and welcomed "positive messages" from their talks including a promise to fight terrorism.
Barbara Leaf, Washington's top diplomat for the Middle East, made the comments after her meeting with Sharaa in Damascus - the first formal mission to Syria's capital by United States diplomats since the early days of Syria's civil war.

The lightning offensive that toppled President Bashar al-Assad on December 8 was led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is rooted in Al-Qaeda's Syria branch but has sought to moderate its image in recent years. Leaf's meeting with HTS chief Sharaa came despite Washington's designation of his group as a terrorist organisation.

"Based on our discussion, I told him we would not be pursuing the Rewards for Justice reward offer that has been in effect for some years," Leaf told reporters after their talks. She said "we welcomed positive messages" from Sharaa. "We will be looking for progress on these principles and actions, not just words," she said.

"I also communicated the importance of inclusion and broad consultation during this time of transition," she said. "We fully support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that results in an inclusive and representative government which respects the rights of all Syrians, including women, and Syria's diverse ethnic and religious communities."
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/da...er-4819876

[watchfirst9]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFQXwNqO458

If you think 300% increase is bad
now is another 900% increase.


meanwhile in the north
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NycP-SxMf28&pp=ygUFa3VyZHM%3D

[watchfirst9]

Syria LIVE: Iran's First Surprise Action Against Jolani & Syrian Rebels After Assad's Ouster
Times Of India

Syria's largest oil refinery, Baniyas, has reportedly halted its operations after losing crude shipments from Iran, its primary supplier. The Financial Times cited Syrian refinery's General Manager, Ibrahim Mousallem, who confirmed that the last petrol was produced on Friday. Watch for more details.

[Tee tiong huat]

Syria LIVE: Iran's First Surprise Action Against Jolani & Syrian Rebels After Assad's Ouster
Times Of India

Syria's largest oil refinery, Baniyas, has reportedly halted its operations after losing crude shipments from Iran, its primary supplier. The Financial Times cited Syrian refinery's General Manager, Ibrahim Mousallem, who confirmed that the last petrol was produced on Friday. Watch for more details.

Syria’s new rulers name HTS commander who was a leading figure in insurgency as defence minister.

[Tee tiong huat]

Syria’s new rulers name HTS commander who was a leading figure in insurgency as defence minister.

DAMASCUS – Syria’s new rulers have appointed Murhaf Abu Qasra, a leading figure in insurgency which toppled former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, as defence minister in interim govt, an official source said on Dec 21.


Abu Qasra, who is also known by the nom de guerre Abu Hassan 600, is a senior figure in the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which led the campaign that ousted Dr Assad earlier in December. He led numerous military operations during Syria’s revolution, the source said.
Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed “form of military institution in the new Syria” during a meeting with armed factions on Dec 21, state news agency Sana reported.
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middl...e-minister

[Tee tiong huat]

DAMASCUS – Syria’s new rulers have appointed Murhaf Abu Qasra, a leading figure in insurgency which toppled former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, as defence minister in interim govt, an official source said on Dec 21.

Abu Qasra, also known by nom de guerre Abu Hassan 600, is a senior figure in the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which led the campaign that ousted Dr Assad earlier in December. He led numerous military operations during Syria’s revolution, the source said.
Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed “form of military institution in the new Syria” during a meeting with armed factions on Dec 21, state news agency Sana reported.
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middl...e-minister

Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (centre) sitting next to its new defence minister Murhaf Abu Qasra (right) UPDATED Dec 22, 2024.

During the meeting, Abu Qasra sat next to Sharaa, also known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Jolani.

Syrian PM Mohammed al-Bashir said this week the Defence Ministry would be restructured using former rebel factions & officers who defected from Dr Assad’s army. Bashir, who formerly led an HTS-affiliated admin the north-western province of Idlib, has said he'll lead a 3-mth transitional govt. new administration has not declared plans for what will happen after that.

Earlier Dec 21, ruling General Command named Asaad Hassan al-Shibani as foreign minister, Sana said. A source in new admin told Reuters that this step “comes in response to aspirations of Syrian people to establish international relations that bring peace and stability”. Shibani, a 37-yr-old graduate of Damascus University, previously led political dept of rebels’ Idlib govt, the General Command said. Sharaa’s group was part of Al-Qaeda until he broke ties in 2016, been confined to Idlib for years until going on offensive in late Nov, sweeping through cities of western Syria & into Damascus as the army melted away.
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middl...e-minister

[Tee tiong huat]

Top-ranking Jordanian and Qatari diplomats met with Syria’s new leaders in Damascus on Monday as regional powers begin rebuilding relations with the country after the fall of longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Qatari Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi sat down with Syria’s de facto leader, Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham chief Ahmed al-Sharaa, in separate meetings Monday in the Syrian capital. Khulaifi’s visit was the first to Syria by a high-level Qatari official in 13 years, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said.

The Qatari foreign minister expressed “unrelenting support for the Syrian brothers to build a state of institutions, governed by justice, freedom, development and peace,” according to a foreign ministry readout after the meeting.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/202...ine-yemen/

[Tee tiong huat]

Arab states have responded cautiously to Assad’s fall and the takeover by HTS-led Islamist rebels. Sharaa is also known by his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani.

HTS leaders also met with a string of Western officials last week, including from the United States, Britain and Germany, as Syria’s ruling rebel coalition works to attain international legitimacy and restore a sense of security to Syrians.

Diplomatic push underscores extent which Assad’s sudden downfall has curbed Iranian influence in the region, with Tehran losing a valuable ally as its regional rivals increase their diplomatic outreach. 

On Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Tehran had “no direct contact” with groups in Syria.
https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/sy...i-4dd71b01

[Tee tiong huat]

Syria’s Rebel Leaders Have Control of the Country. Now What?. The new Islamist-led government promises moderation, but officials aren’t committing to such issues as women’s rights or free elections.

[Tee tiong huat]

Syria’s Rebel Leaders Have Control of the Country. Now What?. The new Islamist-led government promises moderation, but officials aren’t committing to such issues as women’s rights or free elections.

Syria says ex-rebel groups agree to integrate under Defence Ministry. The De facto Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa says factions agreed to disband following a meeting with heads of the groups.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/2...e-ministry

[Tee tiong huat]

If Turkey & Islamist continue carrying out attacks inside country. Both sponsors inside Syria, such as Syrian Nat Army (SNA) comprising mercenaries, criminal bands, been attacking Kurds in northern & eastern Syria. Both also been joined by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), main opp group led the offensive against Assad in attacks against Kurds. Turkey equates SDF w/Kurdish group PKK, blamed insurgency inside Turkey considers a terrorist group. Turkey has for years attacked Syrian Kurds, sought to limit size of AANES farther from Turkish border.

Kurdish commander warns of ‘bloody civil war’
As Turkish military and Syrian militias have joined hands against Kurds, General Abdi said the SDF is under “constant attack”. “We are still under constant attack from the Turkish military and the Turkish-supported opposition which is called SNA,” said Mazloum in an interview with Fox News. Mazloum said that Turkey is carrying out up to 81 drone attacks a day amid “intensive” artillery bombardment. He went on to say that such an offensive has “paralysed our counterterror operation” IIf the new Syrian regime is not inclusive and if violence continues as it is, then Syria is headed into another “bloody civil war”, warned Mazloum.

“So any new govt in Syria needs representative, needs inclusive contain include all different parties of Syria. So if not that takes us to a bloody civil war in the country and that will put us in huge stage of escalatory path that no one can predict the fate of that,” said Mazloum. Fears of Islamic State’s resurgence. He warned spiralling violence in Syria could be fertile grounds for the resurgence of Islamic State. In safeguarding Kurdish territory conducting regular op against Isis, SDF is also responsible of guarding several prison complexes up to 45,000 Isis terrorists and their family members are put. Amid ongoing chaos in Syria. Turkey has opened a front against Kurds, fears attempts at freeing these prisoners could be made, which would be catastrophic for the region if it is successful.

Mazloum said half of his fighters guarding ISIS camps withdraw in recent days. “All the prisons still are under our control. However, prisons & camps are in a critical situation b'cos guarding them are leaving having to protect their families eg: like Raqqa ISIS prison, contains about 1,000 ISIS ex-fighters, number of guards diminished by half putting them in a fragile position.” he added, “We expect those Islamists, different factions to unite, to fight with ISIS will bring back tougher extremists, organisations back to country." Mazloum further said that even though a ceasefire was reached with Turkey-backed groups earlier this week with US mediation, the attacks continued both from Turkey & militias.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/top-kurd...g_rewarded

General Mazloum Abdi, commander of Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), warned country may be headed into another round of a “bloody civil war”. Kurds are ethnic group spread across Syria, Iraq, Iran &⅜ Turkey. Most Kurds are Sunni. They are muslims also practice Christianity & Zoroastrianism among other religions. In Syria, Kurds run a regional govt northeast named Syria called Autonomous Admin North & East Syria (AANES). Kurds are mainly US ally in the region in war against Islamic State (Isis), Turkey considers them enemies. Turkey-SNA combine try attacked Kurds in Manjib in eastern Syria. Manjib was followed by SNA’s offensive against SDF in Kobani. Then, the HTS on Tuesday captured the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor from the Kurds.

https://apnews.com/article/syria-kurds-t...074291ff0f
Kurdish-led forces push back Turkish-backed Syrian rebels in a tense offensive. She accused Ankara try to weaken (U S. Back SDF group’s) influence in negotiations over Syria’s political future through their, Turkey back SNA.

QAMISHLI, Syria (AP) — Kurdish-led fighters in Syria, known as Syrian Democratic Forces, said Tuesday. They have launched a counter-offensive against Turkish-backed Syrian National Army to take back areas near Syria’s northern border with Turkey, the Kurdish-led SDF is Washington’s critical ally in Syria, targeting sleeper cells of extremist Islamic State group scattered across country’s east. Since fall of the totalitarian rule of Bashar Assad early this mth, clashes have intensified between U.S.-backed group & SNA, which captured key city of Manbij & the areas surrounding it.

The intense weeks long clashes come at a time when Syria, battered by over a decade of war & economic misery, negotiates its political future following half a century under Assad dynasty’s rule. Ruken Jamal, spokesperson of the Women’s Protection Unit, or YPJ, which is under the SDF, told Associated Press (AP) its fighters are just over 11 km (7 miles) away from center of Manbij in their ongoing counter-offensive.

[Tee tiong huat]

General Mazloum Abdi, commander of Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), warned country may be headed into another round of a “bloody civil war”. Kurds are ethnic group spread across Syria, Iraq, Iran &⅜ Turkey. Most Kurds are Sunni. They are muslims also practice Christianity & Zoroastrianism among other religions. In Syria, Kurds run a regional govt northeast named Syria called Autonomous Admin North & East Syria (AANES). Kurds are mainly US ally in the region in war against Islamic State (Isis), Turkey considers them enemies. Turkey-SNA combine try attacked Kurds in Manjib in eastern Syria. Manjib was followed by SNA’s offensive against SDF in Kobani. Then, the HTS on Tuesday captured the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor from the Kurds.

https://apnews.com/article/syria-kurds-t...074291ff0f
Kurdish-led forces push back Turkish-backed Syrian rebels in a tense offensive. She accused Ankara try to weaken (U S. Back SDF group’s) influence in negotiations over Syria’s political future through their, Turkey back SNA.

QAMISHLI, Syria (AP) — Kurdish-led fighters in Syria, known as Syrian Democratic Forces, said Tuesday. They have launched a counter-offensive against Turkish-backed Syrian National Army to take back areas near Syria’s northern border with Turkey, the Kurdish-led SDF is Washington’s critical ally in Syria, targeting sleeper cells of extremist Islamic State group scattered across country’s east. Since fall of the totalitarian rule of Bashar Assad early this mth, clashes have intensified between U.S.-backed group & SNA, which captured key city of Manbij & the areas surrounding it.

The intense weeks long clashes come at a time when Syria, battered by over a decade of war & economic misery, negotiates its political future following half a century under Assad dynasty’s rule. Ruken Jamal, spokesperson of the Women’s Protection Unit, or YPJ, which is under the SDF, told Associated Press (AP) its fighters are just over 11 km (7 miles) away from center of Manbij in their ongoing counter-offensive.

https://apnews.com/article/syria-kurds-t...074291ff0f

[Tee tiong huat]

General Mazloum Abdi, commander of Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), warned country may be headed into another round of a “bloody civil war”.
Syria is now in a new phase, & discussions are underway about future of the Syria,” Jamal said. “Turkey is trying, through its attacks, to distract us with battles and exclude us from the negotiations in Damascus.”

A Britain-based opposition war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, says that the SNA’s offensive in northern Syria against the Kurds started earlier this mth, dozens from both sides have been killed. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke on Tuesday with Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, according to Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder. He said they discussed ongoing situation in Syria. Austin emphasized that close continuous coordination is crucial to a successful effort to counter IS in country, also discussed the importance of setting the conditions to enable a more secure & stable Syria

SETS the STANDARD FOR Ankara to sees SDF as an affiliate of its sworn enemy, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which it classifies as a terrorist organization. Turkish-backed armed groups alongside Turkish jets for years have attacked positions where the SDF are largely present across northern Syria, in a bid to create a buffer zone free from the group along the large shared border. While the SNA was involved in the lightning insurgency — led by Islamic group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to toppled Assad, it has continued its push against the SDF, seen as Syria’s second key actor for its political future.

On Monday. SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami said its forces pushed back Turkish-backed rebels from areas near the Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates River, a key source of hydroelectric power. He said SDF also destroyed a tank belonging to rebels southeast of Manbij.

[Tee tiong huat]

Erdogan bloody YPG tobe buried’ in Syria.

If it doesn’t lay down arms. Ankara has repeatedly insisted Kurdish YPG militia must disband & called on US to stop supporting it. Ankara repeatedly insisted Kurdish YPG militia must disband, it asserting group has no place in Syria’s future, change in Syria’s leadership has left main Kurdish factions on back foot.

“The separatist murderers did not bid to their weapons farewell, or they buried in Syrian lands along with their weapons,” Erdogan told lawmakers from his ruling AK Party in parliament on Wed. Erdogan views the YPG militia – main component of US back-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – as an extension of outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militia, which has waged a rebellion against Turkish state since 1984. 

1. “We will eradicate the terrorist organisation that is trying to weave a wall of blood between us and our Kurdish siblings,” he added. The PKK is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkiye calling on US & Eu repeatedly called on its NATO ally Washington and others to stop supporting the YPG.
   

But on Monday. SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami said its forces pushed back Turkish-backed rebels from areas near the Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates River, a key source of hydroelectric power. He said SDF also destroyed a tank belonging to rebels southeast of Manbij.

[Tee tiong huat]

Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies
Reporting from Istanbul, said is not a surprising statement by Erdogan “as its a official rhetoric of currenr Turkish govt”.

The YPG is considered “Syrian branch of the PKK, by Ankara. But Joe Biden believes U.S. arms is fighting for U.S to fight world international terrorist group who happen to be in Syria.
Earlier, Turkiye’s said their armed forces had killed 21 YPG-PKK fighters in northern Syria and Iraq.

Meanwhile SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said
or acknowledged last week the presence of PKK fighters in Syria for first time, saying they had helped battle ISIL (also known as ISIS) fighters, would return home if a total ceasefire was agreed with Turkiye, a core demand from Ankara.

He denied any organisational ties with the PKK.

Erdogan also said Turkiye would soon open its consulate in Aleppo, adding that Ankara expected an increase in traffic at its borders in the summer of next year as some of the millions of Syrian migrants it hosts begin to return to their homes.