Syrian foreign minister in Russia for first meeting since Assad's overthrow
In December, Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad was overthrown by rebels and he fled to Russia, which had been his staunch ally during the 14-year Syrian civil war.
Moscow has had decades of close ties with Damascus, which deepened during its ultimately unsuccessful military intervention on Assad's behalf. These included several economic agreements.
On Thursday, Syria's new foreign minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, spoke with his counterpart Sergey Lavrov about maintaining agreements struck with Assad's government, as well as the future of Russia's military bases in the country.
'The relationship between nations is a historical and humanitarian one, but some governments are spoiling this relationship,' Shaibani said at a news conference.
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'We are here today to represent the new Syria, as we want to establish a correct and sound relationship between the two countries based on cooperation and mutual respect.'
He added: 'Of course, there are a number of factors that determine and complicate these relations on the ground.'
Russia's naval base in Tartus and its airbase at Hmeimim are Moscow's only official military outposts outside the former Soviet Union.
They were key to Russia's support of the Assad government, which prevented his overthrow for many years after the 2011 uprising.
Lavrov said Moscow was ready to help Syria rebuild after more than a decade of devastating conflict and to review 'agreements and contracts concluded under different conditions', and said their decision to remain allies 'doesn't depend on the political situation or changes of government'.
Neither minister said whether there had been any discussion of the status of the military bases.
Assurances
Despite providing a haven for Assad, Russia has quickly moved to try to build connections with the new government in Syria.
Footage released in January appeared to show Russia removing vehicles and containers from its base in Tartus on the Mediterranean coast.
Why Syria needs to play the long game against Israel Read More »
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa spoke for the first time in February, with the former saying he was ready to reconsider agreements signed between Russia and Syria under Assad.
'Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Russia's invariable readiness to help improve the socio-economic situation in Syria, including the provision of humanitarian aid to its residents,' the Russian presidency said at the time.
Syrian Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra is also part of the delegation to Moscow. In February, he told the Washington Post that this government was open to allowing Russia to retain its bases if there were 'benefits for Syria'.
The status of Assad, however, could remain a sticking point.
Shaibani called on Russia to support a 'transitional justice' process in Syria, possibly referencing Assad's presence in the country.
He also said Syria had formed a committee to review existing agreements with Russia.
In January, Sharaa reportedly requested Russia extradite Assad. The Russian government refused to comment on the matter at the time.
Israeli attacks
Shaibani's discussions with Lavrov also touched upon Israel's recent attacks on southern Syria.
Since the fall of Assad, Israel has repeatedly bombed Syrian military targets, and invaded even more Syrian territory than the Golan Heights it occupied in 1967.
Earlier this month, Israeli attacks intensified, which Israel said were done in support of the Druze minority. However, the raids only raised communal tensions, which broke out into sectarian clashes that killed about 1,200 Druze and Bedouin Syrians.
Speaking alongside Lavrov, Shaibani said that Israel's attacks on Syria posed a serious threat to his country's recovery
'These attacks not only represent a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter, but also disrupt the process of reconstruction, exacerbate the suffering of civilians, and fuel cycles of violence and instability,' he said.
'We have received a commitment from Russia to reject these attacks and stand with Syria to prevent these violations.'
Lavrov concurred with his counterpart and called on members of the international community to help de-escalate the situation.
'We have always been against the use of Syrian territory as an arena for geopolitical conflicts to settle scores between various countries,' he said.
Russia and Israel have had a close working relationship in Syria, where Israeli attacks repeatedly struck Hezbollah and Iranian-linked targets. In 2019, Russia helped recover the remains of an Israeli soldier buried in Syria.
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Middle East Eye
an hour ago
- Middle East Eye
Why legal experts say that starvation in Gaza is a war crime
Israel has been accused of the crime of starving civilians since the beginning of its war on Gaza in October 2023. In late July, the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the world's leading hunger monitoring system, said that the "worst-case scenario of famine" is unfolding in Gaza due to the Israel-imposed famine and siege. At the time of publication, more than 160 Palestinian children and adults in Gaza have died from starvation, according to the territory's health ministry. Even before the current war, which has killed at least 60,000 Palestinians and displaced almost all the 2.2m population, Israel blockaded Gaza's airspace, territorial waters and two of its three land crossings since 2007. Approximately 80 percent of the population depended on aid from the UN and international NGOs. Israel decided who and what could enter and exit, and sought to control the amount of calories per person. As early as 2006, an adviser to then Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert summed up the policy: "The idea is to put the Palestinians on a diet, but not to make them die of hunger." New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The situation has worsened during the war, with restrictions and bans on the essentials to sustain life. The policy has drawn international outrage, even amongst Israel's allies. On 21 November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - the first for any leader of a Western ally. It was also the first time anyone had been charged for the crime of starvation. Below, Middle East Eye explains the use of starvation in Gaza, the legal case against Israel, what the international courts are doing, and the reaction from Israel. How has Israel weaponised aid during its war on Gaza? Since 7 October 2023, Israel has repeatedly stopped supplies and destroyed services essential for human life, including food, water, medicine, fuel, electricity and basic communications. Palestinian children wait for a meal at a charity kitchen in Mawasi, Khan Yunis, southern Gaza on 22 July 2025 (AFP) The few aid convoys allowed in are often delayed and obstructed. Hundreds of Palestinians seeking aid have been killed while seeking food, either by Israeli troops or military contractors working for the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Aid workers, NGO staff and clinicians have been targeted. Truces and ceasefires are often short-lived. How is hunger in Gaza measured? UN agencies and governments use the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). It assesses the risk through five phases of acute food insecurity. The worst is Phase 5, or famine: the detection of a catastrophic level of hunger among households. That's when: - 20 percent of households in an area suffer an extreme lack of food, leading to critical levels of acute malnutrition and death - 30 percent of children under five suffer acute malnutrition - there are at least two deaths per 10,000 people per day from starvation. In its latest Gaza assessment on 29 July, the IPC said at least the first two of the three thresholds had been met, contributing to an increased risk of deaths among children and adults. The IPC said that the factors leading to this included: - the continued Israeli blockade - the lack of access for aid groups and NGOs - the large-scale displacement - the severe shortage of food, water, shelter and medicine - the near total collapse of the healthcare and sanitation systems How is famine different from the crime of starvation? 'Starvation' and 'famine' may sound interchangeable, but are legally and technically different. Famine is the worst-case result of starvation, hence the legal significance of prohibiting starvation as a policy from the start. Once famine arrives then it is too late: for example, a famine in Somalia was acknowledged in 2011, but only after 250,000 people had died, half of whom were under five. "Starvation", unlike famine, is recognised as a war crime and so the word carries legal weight. What defines starvation in law? Starvation has two aspects: the "process" of being starved, and the "outcome". In this context, "process" is the phase when the deprivation of sustenance becomes policy, and before famine and death occur. Meanwhile, "outcome" is defined as malnutrition and other impacts, including death. Tom Dannenbaum, international law professor at the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, and one of the leading authorities on the crime of starvation, says that the process can start long before the IPC metrics have been met. 'It's about the process of denying objects indispensable to survival for the purpose of denying their sustenance value,' he said in an interview with MEE's Expert Witness Podcast. 'That process can begin at a point at which there isn't yet a high level of acute malnutrition or elevated mortality. And yet the process of deprivation has begun.' Evidence of the criminality and its intent can come in actions and statements. During its war on Gaza, Israel has justified the siege as a means of pressuring Hamas to release captives held since 7 October. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant visits troops inside a self-propelled artillery howitzer at near the Israeli border with Rafah, southern Gaza, in May 2024 (AFP/Israeli Army handout) Perhaps the most blatant was that of then-defence minister Yoav Gallant, who said on 9 October 2023: 'I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel. Everything is closed. We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly.' Dannenbaum said that it could only be understood as a 'deliberate effort to deny objects indispensable to survival'. And on 13 January 2024, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: 'We provide minimal humanitarian aid… If we want to achieve our war goals, we give the minimal aid.' What about the 'outcome' from starvation In a legal context, 'outcome' is defined as malnutrition and other impacts, including death. Dannenbaum says that people can suffer levels of fatal and near-fatal acute malnutrition without triggering a famine declaration or any of its other elements. That, he said, would still imply starvation was being used as a method of warfare if the impact of that policy was known. An Israeli battle tank overlooks Palestinian refugees fleeing Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip in January 2024 (AFP) Alex De Waal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation and a foremost expert on famine, said Israel's starvation tactics differ from historical precedents due to the control it exerts on aid and its intent to prevent humanitarian relief. 'If Israel wanted every child in Gaza to have breakfast tomorrow, the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could say so, and it would happen,' he said. 'That is not the case in other terrible famines, such as in Sudan today. The precision, the minute control that Israel has over this is something without precedent in modern times.' What does international law say about weaponising starvation? Historically, starvation has always been part of siege warfare but has only been criminalised during the past two decades. 1863: The Lieber Code, issued during the American Civil War to Union forces, is one of the earliest codifications of war crimes. But it still states that 'it is lawful to starve the hostile belligerent, armed or unarmed, so that it leads to the speedier subjection of the enemy'. 1919: Starvation first appears as a war crime among a list of 32 offences drafted under the Allies after World War One in the Report of the Commission on Responsibility. But while the 'deliberate starvation of civilians' is seen as a violation, it has no legal force. 1949: Regulation begins with the Fourth Geneva Convention. Occupying powers must ensure the unimpeded supply of food and medical supplies to the population under occupation. 1977: The obligation is codified in the two Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions. Starvation is classified as a weapon during conflicts between states; and between a state and non-state group. But it's yet to be called a 'grave breach', which is used to define war crimes. 1998: Starvation finally becomes a prosecutable crime, under the Rome Statute of the ICC - but only for war between states. 2021: Starvation, as a war crime committed during internal conflicts, is added as an amendment to the statute - but so far, only 21 of the ICC's 125 member states have ratified it. What's the actual essence of the crime of starvation? Under Article 8 (2) (b) (xxv) of the Rome Statute, the war crime of starvation takes place if - The perpetrator deprives civilians of objects indispensable to their survival - It is done with the intent to starve civilians as a method of warfare That phrase 'objects indispensable to survival' matters: it applies not only to food and water ('foodstuffs') but also 'agricultural areas for the production of foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works'. All of these have been severely affected during the war. It doesn't stop there: the crime of starvation can also occur simultaneously with other related crimes. In the context of Gaza, the ICC In November 2024, the ICC also charged Israeli leaders with the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts in connection with the deprivation of food, water and medicine. It also overlaps with genocide, which has been central to South Africa's case against Israel at the ICJ. Four of the genocidal acts listed in the covention have been cited by South Africa as evidence of genocide linked to the siege and policy of starvation. A UN panel of experts in March 2025 concluded that Israel was breaching the Genocide Convention by its imposition of siege and prevention of humanitarian assistance at-scale. Based in the Genocide Convention provisions, De Waal says that Israel is committing 'genocidal starvation'. 'The prevention aspect cannot wait until we have counted the graves of all those children who have died of starvation.' And there is also the aspect of social trauma. 'It is that shame. It is that degradation. It is that feeling of people being reduced to the state of animals, being forced to violate profound social taboos - scavenging for food in piles of garbage. This is what genocide looks like at the moment.' Is Israel committing the crime of weaponising starvation? The evidence is overwhelming and, in the words of Dannenbaum, 'very strong'. 'You don't have to show that the acts in question caused a specific outcome,' he says. 'You have to show that the deprivation occurred with the requisite intent.' That intent might include denying sustenance to civilians; or even knowing that civilians will starve as a result. Dannenbaum says there is no ambiguity, including the destruction of agriculture, water systems and power supplies among others. The only remaining question would be - was this done with intent? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with Israeli troops in Rafah, southern Gaza on 18 July 2024 (AFP/Israel PM Office handout) Aside from the statements by Gallant and other Israeli officials, other observers highlight the total siege imposed on Gaza from 2 March 2025 onwards, unambiguously justified by Israel to deny Palestinians food, water and medicine. Prosecutors may also prove that Israeli officials possessed 'oblique intent' - the knowledge that starvation was a certainty. Evidence may include how it ignored IPC famine warnings in December 2023, March 2024 and May 2025 and continued with its policy. What have Israeli officials said about starvation? Israel says it has restricted food and supplies to force the release of the remaining hostages, and that it has looted and diverted essentials intended for civilians. But UN agencies and other relief groups have repeatedly debunked this claim, saying Israel has not provided evidence. Martin Griffiths, the former UN humanitarian chief, told MEE that such a claim 'was never tested by evidence or an accountable process.' Israeli military officials have also said there is no proof, as has an internal US government assessment. Dannenbaum says that under international law, a civilian population cannot be denied humanitarian aid to prevent it being diverted to combatants. The only justification would be if the aid is 'systematically and almost entirely being diverted to combatants and not reaching civilians at all.' But he said: 'We saw during the ceasefire that there was significant delivery to civilians.' Has Israel tried to distribute aid? Yes - and with disastrous results. In May 2025, Israel replaced the UN's humanitarian operations in Gaza with US-backed militarised aid distribution run by the GHF, a US-based organisation. It operates four distribution centres in southern Gaza, replacing roughly 400 UN‑run aid points across the enclave. Sites are secured by US private security contractors and monitored by the Israeli military. Philippe Lazzarini, Unrwa's commissioner-general, told MEE shortly after GHF's launch that its introduction appeared part of the Israeli army's plan to force the population from northern to southern Gaza, forcing people to regroup around the new distribution cluster. 'So it becomes an instrument of a forced displacement of the population." From the start of GHF starting operations on 26 May until the end of July, at least 1,373 Palestinians had been killed while seeking aid from its distribution sites, according to the UN, with the numbers rising daily. Palestinians transport victims to a Red Cross clinic in Rafah, southern Gaza, as they were shot while waiting to receive food parcels at a GHF hub on 12 July 2025 (AFP) That is why GHF's system has been described by aid workers as a 'death trap', while UN agencies have refused to cooperate with it. Many civilians cannot reach distribution points due to security risks or their inability to travel, especially from northern Gaza. Those who reach the hubs risk targeted attacks or their supplies being stolen on their way home by people who are also starving. Dannenbaum said that even if it was unclear whether the GHF was being used to deny sustenance to Palestinians, there was still a clear context that civilians would starve, given that the IPC has said there is a high risk of famine. 'This is occurring in a context in which the deprivation has the virtual certainty of causing starvation in the civilian population.' What has the ICC said about starvation in Gaza? Starvation is the centerpiece in the case against Israeli leaders before the ICC. In its arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant on 21 November 2024, the ICC said it had reasonable grounds to believe that the pair: "Intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, from at least 8 October 2023 to 20 May 2024". The pre-trial chamber, which issues warrants among other duties, mentioned Netanyahu and Gallant's role in curtailing humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza and not supporting relief operations. International law explained: What are genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity? Read More » The judges said that Israel's restrictions on aid, as well as severe reductions on energy supplies, had a "severe impact" on water supplies and hospitals in Gaza. When Israel finally allowed humanitarian aid to enter Gaza after the total blockade of October 2023, they said it was insufficient to meet Israel's international legal obligations. The ICC also levelled other charges in connection with Israel's deprivation of essential supplies, including murder and persecution. The charge of 'inhumane acts' related to the deliberate reduction or prevention of medical supplies, including that 'doctors were forced to operate on wounded persons and carry out amputations, including on children, without anaesthetics, and/or were forced to use inadequate and unsafe means to sedate patients, causing these persons extreme pain and suffering.' What did the ICJ say? The ICJ intervenes in disputes between states, not least if one country alleges that another has committed genocide. It is examining two cases linked to the starvation of civilians. In December 2023, South Africa accused Israel, before the ICJ,of breaching the Genocide Convention of 1948 through its policy of siege and starvation. South Africa said Israel had done this, among other acts, 'deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.' It also cited IPC warnings that 93 percent of Gaza's population faced crisis levels of hunger. The ICJ may take years to reach a judgment in South Africa's case against Israel. In the interim, it has issued three rulings, known as 'provisional measures orders'. These request that Israel refrain from and prevent acts of genocide, including those that relate to starvation. They are: Prevent genocidal acts: On 26 January 2024, said that the right of Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from genocide was plausibly at risk. Israel was also told to allow humanitarian aid without obstruction. However, the Court did not order a ceasefire Ensure unhindered delivery of aid and basic services: In the second order, on 28 March 2024, the ICJ noted that famine was actively unfolding in Gaza Immediately halt its military operations in Rafah: The third order, on 24 May 2024, was the most pointed, as it stated the risk of genocide in Rafah had significantly intensified. It also required Israel to keep the Rafah crossing open for humanitarian assistance. The orders by the UN's principal judicial organ are legally binding on Israel. But it has rejected the allegations and largely failed to comply. What else has the ICJ said about Israel? The UN itself can also ask the ICJ for its views on an issue - this is known as an advisory opinion. At the moment, as part of this, the court is examining Israel's humanitarian obligations in relation to the UN and other international organisations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, defined as Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. As part of this, the ICJ held oral hearings from more than 40 member states, in late April and early May. There was a broad consensus that Israel, as the occupying power, was legally obliged to allow unrestricted humanitarian support in the affected territories Representatives also argued that the siege and restrictions on aid are evidence that Israel is using starvation as a weapon of warfare. During the hearings, most delegations, including the UN, UK, Palestinian representatives and others, said that Israeli obstruction of essential supplies violated the Fourth Geneva Convention. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said: 'I accuse Unrwa, I accuse the UN, I accuse the secretary-general and I accuse all those that weaponised international law and its institutions in order to deprive the most attacked country in the world, Israel, of its most basic right to defend itself.'
Dubai Eye
an hour ago
- Dubai Eye
US DOJ to open grand jury to investigate Obama officials
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed federal prosecutors to launch a grand jury investigation into allegations that members of Democratic former President Barack Obama's administration manufactured intelligence on Russia's interference in the 2016 elections, a source familiar with the matter said on Monday. The Justice Department said late last month it was forming a strike force to assess claims made by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard about "alleged weaponization of the U.S. intelligence community." Republican U.S. President Donald Trump has leaped on comments from Gabbard in which she threatened to refer Obama administration officials to the Justice Department for prosecution over an intelligence assessment of Russian interference. Fox News first reported that Bondi personally ordered an unnamed federal prosecutor to initiate legal proceedings and the prosecutor is expected to present department evidence to a grand jury, which could consider an indictment if the Justice Department pursued a criminal case. The report cited a letter from Bondi and a source. A DOJ spokesperson declined to comment. Referring to the probe in a post on Truth Social, Trump said: "The TRUTH always wins out. This is great news." Last month, Trump accused Obama of treason, alleging, without providing evidence, that the Democrat led an effort to falsely tie him to Russia and undermine his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump won the 2016 election against Democrat Hillary Clinton. A spokesperson for Obama had denounced Trump's claims, saying "these bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction." Gabbard had declassified documents and said the information she released showed a "treasonous conspiracy" in 2016 by top Obama officials to undermine Trump, claims that Democrats called false and politically motivated. An assessment by the U.S. intelligence community published in January 2017 concluded that Russia, using social media disinformation, hacking, and Russian bot farms, sought to damage Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign and bolster Trump, who won that election. The assessment determined the actual impact was likely limited and showed no evidence that Moscow's efforts actually changed voting outcomes. Russia has denied it attempted to interfere in U.S. elections.
Middle East Eye
2 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Netanyahu reportedly seeking full occupation of Gaza, Israeli media says
Unnamed sources close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefed local media on Monday that he is now pushing for the full occupation of the Gaza Strip. Channel 12 quoted 'senior figures in the Prime Minister's Office' as saying: 'The decision has been made, Israel is heading towards the occupation of the Gaza Strip.' The channel reported that ministers who spoke with Netanyahu - who is currently wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes - said he had decided to expand the military offensive in Gaza, which has largely stalled in recent months. According to the report, he explicitly used the term 'occupation of the Strip' in conversations with several cabinet members. The Ynet news website, also citing sources close to Netanyahu, similarly reported that Israel was preparing for the 'full occupation of the Gaza Strip'. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters This would involve expanding ground operations into areas where captives are believed to be held, and into locations where Israeli troops have not operated for over a year, including western Gaza City and the central refugee camps. Netanyahu 'presents plan to annex parts of Gaza' Read More » Leaks citing unnamed sources close to the Prime Minister's Office are common in Israeli media and are often interpreted as coming directly from Netanyahu himself. Last week, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu had stated that his government will move to annex parts of the Gaza Strip if a ceasefire agreement with Hamas is not reached. Middle East Eye could not independently verify the credibility of sources cited in Israeli media. Troops exhaustion The simultaneous Monday leaks come amid reported tensions between Netanyahu and Israel's army chief of staff, Eyal Zamir. According to Israeli media, Zamir opposes expanding the ground assault in Gaza, citing concerns for the safety of captives and the growing exhaustion among Israeli troops. According to the Monday reports, the sources said that Zamir should resign if he doesn't agree to the occupation of Gaza. Additionally, Ynet said that Netanyahu's intention to expand the assault on Gaza came after a 'green light' from US President Donald Trump. Extremist Israeli politicians and right-wing settlers hold Gaza annexation conference Read More » Israel's public broadcaster Kan 11 reported that Netanyahu is scheduled to convene a security meeting on Tuesday to discuss the potential expansion of the war. The broadcaster added that the security establishment opposes a ground incursion into areas where captives are being held, due to concerns that it could endanger their lives. Channel 12 also cited a security source familiar with the negotiations as saying that Israel was close to securing a partial deal with Hamas, but that 'the government backed away hastily'. Last month, Israel and Hamas were engaged in a round of indirect ceasefire and prisoner swap talks. However, both Israel and its main backer, the United States, abruptly withdrew from the talks, despite reports suggesting that progress was being made. Since the war began 22 months ago, Israeli forces have killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, including at least 18,000 children, in relentless and indiscriminate bombardment. The war has been widely described as a genocide, with Israel accused of deliberately targeting civilians, bombing hospitals, and using starvation as a weapon, among numerous other alleged human rights violations.
