logo
Syria: Arrest of Former Colonel Involved in "Coastal Events" - Jordan News

Syria: Arrest of Former Colonel Involved in "Coastal Events" - Jordan News

Jordan News06-05-2025

Syrian security forces in the Tartus Governorate, in the west of the country, arrested former Colonel Salem Iskander Taraf on Tuesday. He is accused of "crimes and violations" during the rule of the ousted regime and of being involved in the events on the coast last month. اضافة اعلان This was reported by the Syrian Ministry of Interior in a statement on its Telegram account. The statement said: "The Tartus Security Directorate was able to arrest the criminal Colonel Salem Iskander Taraf after a precise surveillance and monitoring operation." It added: "Taraf held several leadership positions, most notably commanding Brigade 123 of the Republican Guard in Aleppo (North), and prior to that, he led the Republican Guard in Deir ez-Zor (East)." The statement further explained that Taraf "was associated with a number of violations and crimes, alongside the criminal Issam Zahreddine." It continued: "During his tenure as head of the State Security Branch in the town of Sanamin in Daraa Governorate (South), he facilitated the entry of Hezbollah militia members into the region, maintaining direct and close relations with these groups."
Additionally, the statement noted that "Taraf also recruited and managed a group of remnants of the ousted regime, who were involved in the attack that occurred in March of last year."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rabbi Abraham Cooper After Meeting with Al-Sharaa: Trump Wants to Bring Syria into the Abraham Accords - Jordan News
Rabbi Abraham Cooper After Meeting with Al-Sharaa: Trump Wants to Bring Syria into the Abraham Accords - Jordan News

Jordan News

timean hour ago

  • Jordan News

Rabbi Abraham Cooper After Meeting with Al-Sharaa: Trump Wants to Bring Syria into the Abraham Accords - Jordan News

Rabbi Abraham Cooper After Meeting with Al-Sharaa: Trump Wants to Bring Syria into the Abraham Accords Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action at the Simon Wiesenthal Center for International Affairs, visited Damascus in mid-June along with Pastor Johnny Moore. The two met with Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani, following an earlier meeting with Al-Sharaa in New York last April. اضافة اعلان In an extensive interview conducted via Zoom with Al Majalla on June 12, Cooper discussed his visit to Damascus, his role, and his vision for the future of Syria and its relationship with Tel Aviv. The publication of the interview was delayed due to the outbreak of the Israeli-Iranian war, but Cooper later responded in writing to a follow-up question on the matter. Cooper described his two-hour meeting with President Al-Sharaa as the most important part of the visit: 'It's only fair to say that when you sit with someone who publicly identifies as having a clear Islamic background—and yet embraces a vision for Syria that includes all its citizens, and who approaches issues with a strategic and practical mindset aimed at removing Syria from the list of hostile states in a volatile region while sincerely expressing hope for peace—it leaves a lasting impact.' During his meetings with Syrian officials, Cooper proposed two initiatives: A humanitarian DNA project to help tens of thousands of Syrian families determine the fate of their missing loved ones. A proposal for increased cooperation in water and agriculture, fields where Israel holds advanced expertise, especially given the vast barren lands he witnessed on his first trip to Syria. When asked whether Al-Sharaa is seeking a peace deal, Cooper replied: 'I believe he has the tools and skills to make it happen. But peace requires serious effort from both sides. If we have to proceed step by step toward de-escalation, that alone would be a major priority for the Jewish state.' He added: 'The current focus should be on de-escalation… Yes, we aspire for a warm peace, but it doesn't have to follow the Abraham Accords framework.' In response to whether former President Trump could play a decisive role, Cooper stated: 'Simply put: If President Trump invites both leaders—Al-Sharaa and Netanyahu—and embraces them, telling them 'we're fully behind you,' an Abraham Accord could be signed much sooner.' He emphasized that greater involvement from Trump would expedite Syria's inclusion in the Abraham Accords: 'Without him, we'll proceed step by step. But either way, we will continue to play the role of persistent mediators.' Cooper concluded by highlighting Syria's current focus on reaffirming the 1974 Disengagement Agreement—violated by Israel following the collapse of the Assad regime on December 8 of last year. (Al Majalla Magazine)

Top Hamas commander, Oct 7 planner, killed in 'Israeli' operation, says 'Israeli' army
Top Hamas commander, Oct 7 planner, killed in 'Israeli' operation, says 'Israeli' army

Roya News

timean hour ago

  • Roya News

Top Hamas commander, Oct 7 planner, killed in 'Israeli' operation, says 'Israeli' army

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) confirmed on Saturday that a joint operation targeted and killed a senior Hamas military council member in Gaza City on Friday. The strike eliminated Abu Omar Al-Suri, a Syrian national of Palestinian origin who played a significant role in Hamas' military operations and training. Activists close to Hamas announced Abu Omar's death without providing further details. Though not widely known within Gaza, activists said he was killed in an Israeli strike south of the city on Friday evening. Hamas supporters say Abu Omar came from Syria in 2005 to transfer his experience to Gaza's resistance. He contributed extensively across various areas, founding the Qassam Brigades Academy, which has graduated thousands of fighters. Thanks to his expertise, he introduced diverse scientific and technical knowledge across multiple military specializations. Hamas activists noted that Abu Omar was originally from Burqa, near Nablus in the occupied West Bank. He was also one of the key planners of the October 7 Al-Aqsa Flood operation. Through social media and WhatsApp groups, Hamas supporters emphasized Abu Omar's crucial role in the technical and structural development of the Qassam Brigades, calling him one of the few individuals with a 'real impact' on Gaza's resistance.

Daesh supporter charged over Taylor Swift 2024 Austria concert terror plot
Daesh supporter charged over Taylor Swift 2024 Austria concert terror plot

Roya News

timea day ago

  • Roya News

Daesh supporter charged over Taylor Swift 2024 Austria concert terror plot

A young Syrian national has been charged in Germany with supporting a terrorist organization in connection with an alleged plot to bomb a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in August 2024, federal prosecutors confirmed this week. The suspect, identified only as Mohammad A due to his age, is reportedly not in custody but is facing charges related to his alleged support of Daesh. German authorities say he played a role in aiding a co-conspirator in Austria with plans to target Swift's Eras Tour performance. According to the federal prosecutor's office, Mohammad A had embraced Daesh ideology by at least April 2024 and began communicating with an Austrian suspect, Beran A, during the summer. Between July and August, investigators say the pair exchanged messages related to a bombing plot targeting the pop star's scheduled concerts at Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium, which were expected to draw over 65,000 fans across three days. The concerts were abruptly canceled just before the first show, leaving fans disappointed and sparking questions. At the time, authorities revealed multiple arrests and cited concerns about plots inspired by Daesh and Al-Qaeda. Mohammad A is accused of translating Arabic-language bomb-making instructions and helping the Austrian suspect connect with Daesh operatives abroad. He also allegedly drafted an oath of allegiance to Daesh on behalf of the main suspect. That suspect, 20-year-old Beran A of Ternitz, was arrested in Austria shortly before the concerts, following a tip-off from the CIA. US intelligence reportedly warned that the suspects aimed to inflict mass casualties. Authorities believe Beran A had also considered an earlier attack in Dubai in March 2024, as part of a possible triad of Daesh-coordinated strikes, but backed out at the last moment.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store