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Assad loyalists kill 14 in clash with Syria's new ruling forces - authorities

Syria's new rebel-led authorities say supporters of ousted President Bashar al-Assad have killed 14 interior ministry troops in an "ambush" in the west of the country. They say 10 other troops were wounded in the fighting on Tuesday near the Mediterranean port of Tartous, a stronghold of Assad's minority Alawite Muslim sect.

The clashes with pro-Assad loyalists are the first direct challenge to the authority of Syria's de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa. Assad's presidency fell to rebel forces led by al-Sharaa's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) faction just over two weeks ago.

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Assad loyalists kill 14 in clash with Syria's new ruling forces - authorities
Syria's new rebel-led authorities say supporters of ousted President Bashar al-Assad have killed 14 interior ministry troops in an "ambush" in the west of the country. They say 10 other troops were wounded in the fighting on Tuesday near the Mediterranean port of Tartous, a stronghold of Assad's minority Alawite Muslim sect.
The clashes with pro-Assad loyalists are the first direct challenge to the authority of Syria's de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa. Assad's presidency fell to rebel forces led by al-Sharaa's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) faction just over two weeks ago.

Security forces launched an operation in Tartous province on Thursday, according to state news agency Sana, in a bid to "restore security, stability and civil peace". Sana reported that the forces had "neutralised... a number of remnants of Assad's militias" in the Tartous countryside, and that it was pursuing others. Reports say the security forces had earlier been ambushed as they tried to arrest a former officer in connection to his role at the notorious Saydnaya prison, close to the capital, Damascus

The UK-based monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said three "armed men", which it did not identify, were also killed in the clashes. The SOHR added that the security forces later brought in reinforcements. On Thursday, it said the former officer, Mohammed Kanjo Hassan, had been arrested together with 20 people, claim has not been independently verified. In a separate development, the Syrian authorities imposed an overnight curfew into Thursday in the central city of Homs, state media reported.

Reports say this followed unrest over a video purportedly showing an attack on an Alawite shrine. The interior ministry said the footage was old, dating back to a rebel offensive on Aleppo in late November, and the violence was carried out by unknown groups. SOHR said one demonstrator was killed & five wounded in Homs. The former rebels now in charge of Syria are grappling with the challenge of providing safety and stability across the country. Syrians are looking to them to protect the rights of people from a variety of backgrounds as well as providing justice for those who lost relatives under the Assad dictatorship.

Demonstrations have also been reported in Alawite-dominated areas including the cities of Tartous and Latakia, and Assad's hometown of Qardaha. Alawites are an offshoot of Shia Islam to which many of the former regime's political and military elite belonged, including Assad's family. The Alawite community is fearful of revenge, with members blamed for the torture and killing in Syria under Assad. Former officers are refusing to hand over weapons and locals in some towns suggest they want to fight back, which appears to have been the case in Tartous.
There have been calls from Alawite religious leaders for a general amnesty for Alawites - but this is unlikely because of the many alleged war crimes conducted by its members.

Although al-Sharaa has bolstered security in Alawite towns and cities in an attempt to maintain order, if his forces do launch a campaign to arrest Assad loyalists, they risk further destabilising an already fragile country.
Tens of thousands of people were tortured to death in prisons in Syria, and thousands of families are still waiting for answers and for justice. Syrians are calling for those responsible to be held to account - the very thing that members of the Alawite are worried about.

The HTS-led lightning offensive that started from Syria's north-east and spread across the country ended more than 50 years of rule by the Assads.
Assad and his family were forced to flee to Russia. HTS has since promised to protect the rights and freedoms of many religious and ethnic minorities in Syria.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0ew5g3vzreo

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As Russia tightens its grip in Syria, geopolitical landscape is shifting dramatically, posing significant challenges for Israel. Moscow. Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the current ruling faction in Syria, are negotiating to secure its military foothold in the region. This strategic partnership is expected to solidify Russia's presence at key military bases in Latakia & Tartous, ensuring Russian forces remain operational despite changing political dynamics. Watch video for details.
https://youtu.be/Ij4tuaBlFcE?si=1WnCyrckovor-x3g

[watchfirst9]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/g_6Ie1l0ByQ

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Assad loyalists kill 14 in clash with Syria's new ruling forces - authorities

Syria's new rebel-led authorities say supporters of ousted President Bashar al-Assad have killed 14 interior ministry troops in an "ambush" in the west of the country. They say 10 other troops were wounded in the fighting on Tuesday near the Mediterranean port of Tartous, a stronghold of Assad's minority Alawite Muslim sect.

The clashes with pro-Assad loyalists are the first direct challenge to the authority of Syria's de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa. Assad's presidency fell to rebel forces led by al-Sharaa's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) faction just over two weeks ago.

DAMASCUS, Syria — The newly appointed governor of Damascus has called on the United States to use its influence to push for cordial relations with Israel. In a wide-ranging interview with NPR, Governor Maher Marwan, 42, said that Syria's new government did not want to seek conflict with Israel, which has been striking strategic military installations in Syria since the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad fell earlier this month.

"We have no fear towards Israel and our problem is not with Israel," Marwan said. "We don't want to meddle in anything that will threaten Israel's security or any other country's security." The governor said it was understandable Israel was concerned when the new Syrian govt took power, because of certain "factions."

"Israel may have felt fear at the beginning," Marwan said. "So it advanced a little, bombed a little."In addition to Israel's strikes on military installations, it also has seized parts of the Golan Heights, stoking fears in Syria of annexation.
And yet Marwan called Israel's fear "natural."

Israel and Syria have never had diplomatic ties. They share a border but have been in a state of war since Israel's founding in 1948. The two nations have fought several wars over the decades, and travel between them has been forbidden. A cautious response from Israel
"This is good news … very, very remarkable," Uzi Rabi, a senior researcher at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University in Israel, said of Marwan's remarks to NPR.
https://www.npr.org/2024/12/27/g-s1-4014...s-governor

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A U.S. delegation met with Sharaa in Damascus & announced a $10 million bounty would be lifted off the Syrian leader's head. Marwan called on Washington to share HTS' message with Israel."There exists a people who want peace & not disputes," Marwan said.

A U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly about matter told NPR. U.S. relayed HTS' message. Washington has not urged either country.

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A U.S. delegation met with Sharaa in Damascus & announced a $10 million bounty would be lifted off the Syrian leader's head. Marwan called on Washington to share HTS' message with Israel."There exists a people who want peace & not disputes," Marwan said.

A U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly about matter told NPR. U.S. relayed HTS' message. Washington has not urged either country.

Signs Russian Fighter Jets Still At Syrian Base, Top Rebel Leader Pushes Back On Total Exit For Moscow. Al Jazeera has released a new video that it says shows Russian combat jets still at Khmeimim Air Base in Syria despite ongoing withdrawals. Fate of Russia’s presence at Khmeimim, as well as at its Tartus naval base, remains a hot topic of interest globally three weeks after the fall of long-time Syrian dictator and ally of Moscow Bashar Al Assad. Just this weekend, the head of the rebel coalition that ousted Assad pushed back on calls for a complete disengagement with the Kremlin, including when it comes to military affairs.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russian-fight...33659.html

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DAMASCUS, Syria — The newly appointed governor of Damascus has called on the United States to use its influence to push for cordial relations with Israel. In a wide-ranging interview with NPR, Governor Maher Marwan, 42, said that Syria's new government did not want to seek conflict with Israel, which has been striking strategic military installations in Syria since the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad fell earlier this month.

"We have no fear towards Israel and our problem is not with Israel," Marwan said. "We don't want to meddle in anything that will threaten Israel's security or any other country's security." The governor said it was understandable Israel was concerned when the new Syrian govt took power, because of certain "factions."

"Israel may have felt fear at the beginning," Marwan said. "So it advanced a little, bombed a little."In addition to Israel's strikes on military installations, it also has seized parts of the Golan Heights, stoking fears in Syria of annexation.
And yet Marwan called Israel's fear "natural."

Israel and Syria have never had diplomatic ties. They share a border but have been in a state of war since Israel's founding in 1948. The two nations have fought several wars over the decades, and travel between them has been forbidden. A cautious response from Israel
"This is good news … very, very remarkable," Uzi Rabi, a senior researcher at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University in Israel, said of Marwan's remarks to NPR.
https://www.npr.org/2024/12/27/g-s1-4014...s-governor

A woman will lead Central Bank of Syria for first time in the institution's 70-year history country. New leadership appointed Maysaa Sabrine, a former deputy governor of the bank, to helm it.

In leading the institution she manages the country's currency, sets its monetary policy, she will be in a prime position to help heal economy shattered by 13 years of war stringent int'l sanctions. Today, about 70% of Syria's population lives in poverty, another 30% in extreme poverty, according to World Bank. 

Syria's new leaders appoint first woman to lead its central bank. Maysaa Sabrine, a former deputy governor of Central Bank of Syria, is expected to replace Mohammed Issam Hazime, who had been appointed by ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/syria...rcna185836

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Syrian sources have deduced that out of almost 50 new military roles that have been announced, at least six have gone to foreigners. Based on the names that have been published, they are said to include Chinese Uyghurs, a Jordanian & a Turkish national. All are said to have been given high-ranking positions as colonels or brigadier-generals.

He ran the rebel enclave in Idlib, Ahmed al-Sharaa – the leader of HTS and now Syria – had been getting rid of some of those foreign fighters in a bid to bolster his group's credentials as a nationalist rather than overtly jihadist force.


Since taking power al-Sharaa has repeatedly stressed the vision of a unified Syrian state, in which all communities must be respected and have a stake. Syrian official said the first talks between members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and al-Sharaa since he became the most powerful man in Syria three weeks ago have now taken place and were positive. SDF is backed by the US and controls much of the north-east of Syria.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c86w27d4qpeo

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Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa met senior Christian clerics on Tuesday, amid calls for the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to guarantee minority rights after seizing power earlier this month. The statement included pictures of the meeting with Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican clerics.


Earlier Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called for an inclusive political transition in Syria that guarantees the rights of the country’s diverse communities.

He expressed hope that “Syrians could take back control of their own destiny“.

But for this to happen, the country needs “a political transition in Syria that includes all communities in their diversity, that upholds the most basic rights and fundamental freedoms,” Barrot said during a visit to Lebanon with Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu.

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French, German foreign ministers visit Damascus to meet Syria’s new rulers

Germany’s Annalena Baerbock offers ‘outstretched hand’, but underlines EU ‘expectation. French and German foreign ministers have arrived in Damascus to meet Syria’s new rulers, marking first trip by top European Union officials to Syria since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad last month. Germany’s Annalena Baerbock and France’s Jean-Noel Barrot will hold talks with Syria’s de-facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also referred to as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, in the Syrian capital on Friday.

Their visit comes as Western govts open channels with al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group with past links to al-Qaeda that led the rebellion against al-Assad, debating whether to remove its terrorist designation. Barrot landed first in Syrian capital on Friday morning, having posted on social media platform X that France and Germany stood with Syrian people “in all their diversity”, voicing support for a “peaceful and demanding transition in the service of the Syrians and for regional stability”. Ahead of the one-day trip, Baerbock spoke of a “new political beginning” between the EU and Syria, signalling she would arrive with an “outstretched hand” as well as “clear expectations” of the new rulers, who she said would be judged by their actions.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/3/...new-rulers

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Zelenskyy says Ukraine preparing to resume diplomatic ties with Syria soon.

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Zelenskyy says Ukraine preparing to resume diplomatic ties with Syria soon.

German and French foreign ministers meet new rulers in Syria

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock have visited Syria’s capital, Damascus, to push for a peaceful political transition. Barrot and Baerbock are the first EU ministers to meet Syria’s new leaders and visit the notorious Sednaya prison since President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster.

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Assad loyalists kill 14 in clash with Syria's new ruling forces - authorities
Syria's new rebel-led authorities say supporters of ousted President Bashar al-Assad have killed 14 interior ministry troops in an "ambush" in the west of the country. They say 10 other troops were wounded in the fighting on Tuesday near the Mediterranean port of Tartous, a stronghold of Assad's minority Alawite Muslim sect.

The clashes with pro-Assad loyalists are the first direct challenge to the authority of Syria's de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa. Assad's presidency fell to rebel forces led by al-Sharaa's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) faction just over two weeks ago.

According to the reports, Turkey attacked the Al Tabqah city in Syria's Raqqa Governorate with drones on Friday.. Local sources reported Turkey carried out a fresh attack on Syria on Friday.

Initial reports indicate that Turkish drones targeted a center in the Syrian city. There, no immediate reports of possible casualties.

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https://images.app.goo.gl/Bcits5omR9B4WjPp7

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https://images.app.goo.gl/dZVFkqxKYPhnC2V36

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https://images.app.goo.gl/Bcits5omR9B4WjPp7

Syria to include all sectors in new govt, foreign minister says.

DUBAI, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Syria's foreign minister has told Saudi Arabian officials

Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meets Syria's newly appointed Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 2, 2025. Saudi Press Agency/Handout...

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DUBAI, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia and U.A.E. Tread Cautiously With Syria’s New LeadersThe two Mideast powerhouses have been trying to block the rise of Islamist groups in the region for two decades. The rebel takeover in Damascus will test that approach.

Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meets Syria's newly appointed Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 2, 2025. Saudi Press Agency/Handout...

For decades, Syria was Iran’s closest Arab ally in the Middle East while the wealthy Persian Gulf monarchies were locked in a competition with Tehran for power and influence across the region.


With the sudden overthrow of the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, his close ally Iran has been sidelined. That presents an opportunity for Gulf states to fill the void and develop ties with the new government in Damascus.

The two leading Gulf powers, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are taking a cautious approach, because Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel faction that has seized control of much of Syria, leans toward Islamism and was once affiliated with the extremist group Al Qaeda.

The two Gulf nations have spent the better part of the past two decades trying to prevent the rise of groups that embrace political Islam across the Middle East, opposing the likes of Al Qaeda, the Islamic State and the Muslim Brotherhood.

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Syrian caretaker govt to hike public sector salaries by 400% next month

The increase, estimated to cost 1.65 trillion Syrian pounds, or about $127 million at current rates, will be financed by existing state resources plus a combination of regional aid, new investments, and efforts to unfreeze Syrian assets held abroad. Syria’s finance minister said on Sunday the govt would hike salaries for many public sector employees by 400% next month after completing an administrative restructuring of ministries to boost efficiency & accountability.

The increase, estimated to cost 1.65 trillion Syrian pounds, or about $127 million at current rates, will be financed by existing state resources plus a combination of regional aid, new investments, and efforts to unfreeze Syrian assets held abroad. “(This is) the first step towards an emergency solution to the economic reality in the country,” Mohammed Abazeed, the finance minister in Syria’s caretaker government, told Reuters, adding that this month’s wages for public sector staff would be paid out this week.

These measures are part of a broader strategy by Syria’s new caretaker government to stabilize the country’s economy following 13 years of conflict & sanctions. Salaries of Syria’s public sector employees undertoppled President Bashar al-Assad’s regime around $25 a month, putting them below poverty line, along with the majority of the country’s population, Abazeed said.

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Syrian caretaker govt to hike public sector salaries by 400% next month

The increase, estimated to cost 1.65 trillion Syrian pounds, or about $127 million at current rates, will be financed by existing state resources plus a combination of regional aid, new investments, and efforts to unfreeze Syrian assets held abroad. Syria’s finance minister said on Sunday the govt would hike salaries for many public sector employees by 400% next month after completing an administrative restructuring of ministries to boost efficiency & accountability.

The increase, estimated to cost 1.65 trillion Syrian pounds, or about $127 million at current rates, will be financed by existing state resources plus a combination of regional aid, new investments, and efforts to unfreeze Syrian assets held abroad. “(This is) the first step towards an emergency solution to the economic reality in the country,” Mohammed Abazeed, the finance minister in Syria’s caretaker government, told Reuters, adding that this month’s wages for public sector staff would be paid out this week.

These measures are part of a broader strategy by Syria’s new caretaker government to stabilize the country’s economy following 13 years of conflict & sanctions. Salaries of Syria’s public sector employees undertoppled President Bashar al-Assad’s regime around $25 a month, putting them below poverty line, along with the majority of the country’s population, Abazeed said.

https://indianexpress.com/article/news-t...h-9761590/

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DAMASCUS, Syria — The newly appointed governor of Damascus has called on the United States to use its influence to push for cordial relations with Israel. In a wide-ranging interview with NPR, Governor Maher Marwan, 42, said that Syria's new government did not want to seek conflict with Israel, which has been striking strategic military installations in Syria since the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad fell earlier this month.

"We have no fear towards Israel and our problem is not with Israel," Marwan said. "We don't want to meddle in anything that will threaten Israel's security or any other country's security." The governor said it was understandable Israel was concerned when the new Syrian govt took power, because of certain "factions."

"Israel may have felt fear at the beginning," Marwan said. "So it advanced a little, bombed a little."In addition to Israel's strikes on military installations, it also has seized parts of the Golan Heights, stoking fears in Syria of annexation.
And yet Marwan called Israel's fear "natural."

Israel and Syria have never had diplomatic ties. They share a border but have been in a state of war since Israel's founding in 1948. The two nations have fought several wars over the decades, and travel between them has been forbidden. A cautious response from Israel
"This is good news … very, very remarkable," Uzi Rabi, a senior researcher at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University in Israel, said of Marwan's remarks to NPR.
https://www.npr.org/2024/12/27/g-s1-4014...s-governor

US eases restrictions on Syria while keeping sanctions in place.

U.S. eased restrictions on Syria's transitional govt, allowing humanitarian aid & limited transactions, signaling cautious support while maintaining sanctions. The move follows Bashar Assad's ouster and Syria's pledge for inclusivity...

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The general license underscores America’s commitment to ensuring its sanctions “do not impede activities to meet basic human needs, including the provision of public services or humanitarian assistance,” a Treasury Department statement reads. Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo said his agency “will continue to support humanitarian assistance and responsible governance in Syria.”

Since Assad’s ouster, representatives from the nation’s new de facto authorities have said that the new Syria will be inclusive and open to the world. U.S. has gradually lifted some penalties since Assad departed Syria for protection in Russia. The Biden administration in December decided to drop a $10 million bounty it had offered for the capture of a Syrian rebel leader whose forces led the ouster of Assad last month.

The announcement followed a meeting in Damascus between the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was once aligned with al-Qaida, and the top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East, Barbara Leaf, who led the first U.S. diplomatic delegation into Syria since Assad’s ouster. The U.S. and U.N. have long designated HTS as a terrorist organization.

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How are Western sanctions affecting Syria’s post-Assad transition?. Western sanctions are weighing heavily on Syria and risk derailing the country’s frail transition.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (centre) and Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (left) walking with Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa ahead of their meeting in Damascus on January 3, 2025 ([AFP).
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/6/...transition

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First commercial flight since the fall of Assad lands in Syria’s capital. 
https://www.nbcnews.com/video/first-comm...8653637765

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Formation of Syria’s new army critical to region

The restructuring of Syrian military is just starting. New de facto leader has pledged to transition new army into a professional, volunteer-based force to foster professionalism within ranks, moving away from conscription policies characterized collapsed regime of Assad. Under Assad’s rule, military conscription was often a source of resentment, many were forced to serve against their will. Reforming the army to rely on volunteers addressed this long-standing grievance while laying the foundation for a more capable and disciplined military.

This professionalization of armed forces is essential for maintaining stability, having a secure atmosphere across the cities, and ensuring that military serves the interests of the nation rather than any single faction.

First agreement in Syria...Country’s newly established admin has taken a decisive step toward unification by consolidating armed factions under a single national army. Landmark decision formalized during a high-level meeting in Damascus, marks a significant attempt to stabilize this war torn nation after more than a decade of civil strife. Newly unified force will op under the Ministry of Defense, aiming to centralize military command and restore order.

On Dec. 24, Syria’s new authorities announced they had reached an agreement with armed opposition groups to dissolve & integrate them into country’s regular defense forces. This move represents a framework agreement for now, it reflects an effort to bring broader cohesion to Syria’s fragmented military landscape.

Khaled Hodja, a Syrian-Turkish politician, shed light on the deal in an exclusive interview with Türkiye Today. He noted that the agreement does not encompass all factions. Groups operating in southern regions like Daraa, Quneitra and Sweida, as well as U.S.-trained forces stationed in Tanf, remain outside its scope. The terror group YPG also falls outside framework, leaving key gaps in agreement’s coverage.

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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.

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

Top US ally, SDF commander in Syria warns of ISIS return if Turkish airstrikes don’t stop. Over weekend, Turkey-SNA combine attacked Kurds in Manjib in eastern Syria. The attack in 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 Kurds, who had captured city from Assad’s regime forces last week. In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Gen. Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the main U.S. ally whose fighters are currently guarding 45,000 ISIS militants and their families at camps and prisons in Eastern Syria, said the Turkish military and its allied forces continue to attack his Kurdish forces, despite a U.S. brokered ceasefire deal Wednesday.

"We are still under constant attack from the Turkish military and the Turkish-supported opposition which is called SNA," Gen. Mazloum told Fox. "Eighty drone attacks a day we have from the Turkish military. There is intensive artillery shells. This situation has paralyzed our counterterror operation." The attacks by the Turkish military on the SDF have increased since Bashar Al Assad’s fall on December 8. Gen. Mazloum warned that if his Kurdish fighters have to flee, ISIS would return.

Gen. Mazloum said half of his fighters guarding the ISIS camps had to withdraw in recent days."All of the prisons still are under our control. However, the prisons and camps are in a critical situation because who is guarding them? They are leaving and having to protect their families," said Gen. Mazloum in an interview from his base in Eastern Syria. "I can give you one example like the Raqqa ISIS prison, which contains about 1,000 ISIS ex-fighters. The number of guards there have diminished by half which is putting them in a fragile position."

A chilling warning from one of America’s staunchest allies. The U.S. has 900 troops in Eastern Syria, and they would likely have to withdraw if the allied Kurdish fighters retreat under attack from Turkey’s military, which views the Kurds as a terrorist threat. "We don't want to see that happen. We're in very close touch with our SDF partners to try to maintain focus on counter-ISIS missions. We just as importantly in touch with our Turkish counterparts," said Nat Security Communications Adviser John Kirby during a White House press briefing Thursday.
Secretary Blinken "reiterated the importance of all actors in Syria respecting human rights, upholding international humanitarian law, and taking all feasible steps to protect civilians, including members of minority groups," State Dept Matthew Miller said in a statement following meeting with President Erdogan. "He emphasized need to ensure coalition can continue to execute its critical mission to defeat ISIS."

CENTCOM Commander General Erik Kurilla met with Gen. Mazloum and the SDF in Syria on Tuesday, two days after U.S. military carried out extensive airstrikes targeting dozens of ISIS positions in Eastern Syria. The operation struck over 75 targets – camps and operatives – using U.S. Air Force B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s, according to a statement released by U.S. Central Command.

"There should be no doubt – we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria," said Kurilla. "All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way." Mazloum said half of his fighters guarding ISIS camps withdraw in recent days. “All the prisons still are under our control.

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General Mazloum Abdi, commander of Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)
Have says...Even Iran began to evacuate its military commanders & personnel from Syria on Friday, according to regional officials & 3 Iranian officials, in a sign of Iran’s inability to help President Bashar al-Assad in power as he faces resurgent rebel offensive. Among evacuated to neighboring Iraq and Lebanon were top commanders of Iran’s powerful Quds Forces, external branch of Revolutionary Guards Corps, officials said.
Move signaled a remarkable turn for Mr. al-Assad, govt Iran has backed throughout Syria’s 13-year civil war, and for Iran, which has used Syria as a key route to supply weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Guards personnel, some Iranian diplomatic staff, their families, & Iranian civilians were also being evacuated, the Iranian officials says Iranians began to leave Syria on Friday morning, officials said, speaking condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/06/world...ation.html

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met yesterday with Kurdistan Regional Govt’s (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Washington.  

The Secretary & the Prime Minister underscored the importance of the U.S. partnership with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) in context of their mutual, enduring commitment to regional security & their shared values, including good governance & respect for human rights.  

Secretary Blinken expressed support for constructive collaboration between the Iraqi govt & the KRG, as well as greater unity within the IKR, to advance stability and economic prosperity for all of Iraq’s people.  

The leaders also discussed the importance of Kurdish (Kurds) participation in the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission, which will enable the transition to an enduring bilateral security partnership between the US and Iraq, including Kurdistan region. 

Furthermore, Secretary emphasized U.S. support for a resilient IKR would continue to be a cornerstone dynamic, broad-based relationship that the United States enjoys with Iraq.

[Tee tiong huat]

Top US ally, SDF commander in Syria warns of ISIS return if Turkish airstrikes don’t stop. Over weekend, Turkey-SNA combine attacked Kurds in Manjib in eastern Syria. The attack in 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 Kurds, who had captured city from Assad’s regime forces last week. In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Gen. Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the main U.S. ally whose fighters are currently guarding 45,000 ISIS militants and their families at camps and prisons in Eastern Syria, said the Turkish military and its allied forces continue to attack his Kurdish forces, despite a U.S. brokered ceasefire deal Wednesday.

"We are still under constant attack from the Turkish military and the Turkish-supported opposition which is called SNA," Gen. Mazloum told Fox. "Eighty drone attacks a day we have from the Turkish military. There is intensive artillery shells. This situation has paralyzed our counterterror operation." The attacks by the Turkish military on the SDF have increased since Bashar Al Assad’s fall on December 8. Gen. Mazloum warned that if his Kurdish fighters have to flee, ISIS would return.

Gen. Mazloum said half of his fighters guarding the ISIS camps had to withdraw in recent days."All of the prisons still are under our control. However, the prisons and camps are in a critical situation because who is guarding them? They are leaving and having to protect their families," said Gen. Mazloum in an interview from his base in Eastern Syria. "I can give you one example like the Raqqa ISIS prison, which contains about 1,000 ISIS ex-fighters. The number of guards there have diminished by half which is putting them in a fragile position."

A chilling warning from one of America’s staunchest allies. The U.S. has 900 troops in Eastern Syria, and they would likely have to withdraw if the allied Kurdish fighters retreat under attack from Turkey’s military, which views the Kurds as a terrorist threat. "We don't want to see that happen. We're in very close touch with our SDF partners to try to maintain focus on counter-ISIS missions. We just as importantly in touch with our Turkish counterparts," said Nat Security Communications Adviser John Kirby during a White House press briefing Thursday.
Secretary Blinken "reiterated the importance of all actors in Syria respecting human rights, upholding international humanitarian law, and taking all feasible steps to protect civilians, including members of minority groups," State Dept Matthew Miller said in a statement following meeting with President Erdogan. "He emphasized need to ensure coalition can continue to execute its critical mission to defeat ISIS."

CENTCOM Commander General Erik Kurilla met with Gen. Mazloum and the SDF in Syria on Tuesday, two days after U.S. military carried out extensive airstrikes targeting dozens of ISIS positions in Eastern Syria. The operation struck over 75 targets – camps and operatives – using U.S. Air Force B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s, according to a statement released by U.S. Central Command.

"There should be no doubt – we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria," said Kurilla. "All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way." Mazloum said half of his fighters guarding ISIS camps withdraw in recent days. “All the prisons still are under our control.

Shafaq News / In 2014, world learned about my hometown, Kobane, my people, Syrian Kurds, we dealt Islamic State its first major defeat in partnership with US & Global Coalition. Alliances we forged led to end of ISIS caliphate in 2019.
Today, Kobane is again under threat — all gains of those partnerships are in danger, threat comes not from Islamic State, but from U.S. ally member of NATO. From govt of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rained bombs on our cities, killing civilians, destroying critical civilian infrastructure & targeting Syrian Democratic Forces working to keep ISIS down, the military defeat of Islamic State was never our only goal. At every step of our fight against terror group on battlefield, we took steps to crush ideology behind it by building a system based on inclusion, pluralism & equality. In Raqqa, for example, where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi once ruled over ISIS territory, Syrian women are now prominent leaders.

In 2015, we established the Syrian Democratic Forces, a coalition of Kurds, Arabs and Assyrians committed to defeating the Islamic State. In every city we liberated, our people built local administrations that, for the first time in Syria, represented all ethnicities and religions and gave women equal power. We’ve been criticized at times for falling short of the West’s democratic standards. Our system is not perfect: We had to build it while at war for our existence and under a crushing economic blockade. But in terms of the quality of governance and security we have been able to provide, we have outdone every other authority in Syria — and none of it would have been possible without the victory at Kobane and the international support for our resistance that it brought. Now Turkish offensive against our region is putting all that under renewed threat.

One strike in the border city of Derik, home to Kurds, Yazidis and Christians, killed more than 10 civilians. Another base near city of Hasakah, I work with US plan op against ISIS, striking just hundreds of meters from U.S. forces, believe was an attempt on my life: Turkey has assassinated several of my colleagues in the SDF & our admin this year. Adding to terror & chaos of bombing campaign, Erdogan continues to threaten a ground invasion of our territory. We know what consequences of such an attack will be, because Turkey has done this twice before. The Turkish invasions of Afrin in 2018 and Ras al-Ayn and Tal Abyad in 2019 displaced hundreds of thousands of people and disrupted the global fight against the Islamic State. After years of Turkish rule, these regions are now infamous for chaos, instability, infighting and the presence of extremists. Where our admin once protected ethnic coexistence, religious freedom and women’s rights, Turkish forces and Turkey-backed militias commit unspeakable abuses against ethnic and religious minorities and women with impunity.

Under our administration, Afrin was the only part of northwest Syria untouched by radical Islamists. Since the area has come under Turkish control, groups affiliated with al-Qaeda operate freely on its territory. This summer, U.S. drone strike killed Maher al-Agal, a top ISIS leader, Turkey is not threatening our people and the security and stability for which we have sacrificed so much because of anything we have done. As a pretext for war, Erdogan has accused our forces of involvement in a deadly bombing in Istanbul.
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Report/Abdi-We...-forget-us

[Tee tiong huat]

In Paris alongside outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot hinted there were talks on the issue." Syrian Kurds must find their place in this political transition. We owe it to them b'cod they were our brothers in arms against ISIS," Barrot said.  "We'll continue our efforts, to ensure that Turkey's legitimate security concerns can be guaranteed & security interests of (Syria's) Kurds their full rights to take part in construction in future of their country." Blinken said it was vital to ensure that the SDF forces continued the job of guarding more than 10,000 detained IS militants as legitimate interest for both U.S. & Turkey. "We are working very closely with our ally...Turkey to navigate this transition ... It's a process'll take some time," Blinken said U.S. has about 2,000 troops in Syria been working with SDF to prevent a resurgence of IS. French still has dozens of special forces no ground from its earlier support of SDF, when Paris provided weapons training. REUTERS.

[Tee tiong huat]

Deadly Clashes Between Pro-Turkish & Kurdish Forces In Syria, Nearly 40 Killed | Here's Why??.
Nearly 40 people were killed in fierce clashes between Turkish-backed groups & Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria's Manbij region. Fighting has resulted in over 300 deaths since December. U.S. is working to address Turkey's concerns about Kurdish militants in Syria. Tensions escalated after Turkish-backed forces captured Kurdish-held areas in northern Aleppo, despite U.S. efforts for a truce. The situation remains volatile.
https://youtu.be/oj3HljeNyhw?si=hGlazXVh6piodqTH