logo
Syrian forces prepare to redeploy to Sweida despite Israeli warnings

Syrian forces prepare to redeploy to Sweida despite Israeli warnings

TimesLIVE7 days ago
Syrian security forces are preparing to redeploy to the Druze-majority city of Sweida to quell fighting with Bedouin tribes, a Syrian interior ministry spokesperson said on Friday, further straining a fragile truce in Syria's south.
A ceasefire announced on Wednesday briefly ended days of bloody fighting that erupted when Bedouin and Druze fighters clashed in Sweida province, prompting the Syrian government to send in troops — further spiking violence.
The clashes drew in Israel, which said it would not allow Syria's Islamist-led government to deploy troops to the south and struck Syrian troops in Sweida, the defence ministry and close to the presidential palace in Damascus.
Syrian troops withdrew from Sweida after the truce was announced but clashes sparked up again late Thursday between the tribal Bedouin fighters and the Druze, part of a religious minority that also has followers in Lebanon and Israel.
Israel's military carried out fresh strikes in Sweida province overnight.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Thailand and Cambodia's deadly border dispute: What We Know
Thailand and Cambodia's deadly border dispute: What We Know

IOL News

timean hour ago

  • IOL News

Thailand and Cambodia's deadly border dispute: What We Know

Evacuees line up for food they take shelter in a gymnasium on the grounds of Surindra Rajabhat University in the Thai border province of Surin on July 25, 2025. More than 100,000 people have fled the bloodiest border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in a decade, Bangkok said on July 25, as the death toll rose rises and international powers urged a halt to hostilities. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP Thailand said on Friday it has evacuated more than 100,000 people along the Cambodian border as the two countries fight their bloodiest military clashes in over a decade. The interior ministry said 100,672 people from four border provinces had been moved to shelters, while the health ministry announced that the death toll had risen to 14. Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military targets on Thursday as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery, in a sharp escalation of a long-running border dispute. The two countries are locked in a bitter feud over parts of the Emerald Triangle, where their borders meet Laos and several ancient temples stand. How did it start? The territorial row has dragged on for decades, but the latest flare-up between the two countries began with military border clashes in May that left one Cambodian soldier dead. Since then, the two sides have hit each other with retaliatory measures, with Thailand restricting border crossings and Cambodia halting certain imports. Five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine blast on Wednesday in the Nam Yuen district of northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province, according to the Thai army. The Thai Ministry of Public Health said Thursday that at least 11 civilians had been killed in cross-border strikes by Cambodia. A spokesperson for Cambodia's defence ministry declined to comment on Thursday when asked about casualties on its side. What happened? The conflict blazed on Thursday as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery into Thailand, and Thai F-16s carried out strikes on two Cambodian military targets, officials said. A Cambodian shell hit a Thai house, killing one civilian and wounding three, including a five-year-old. The clashes erupted near two temples on the border between the Thai province of Surin and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey, with both sides trading blame. Thailand condemned Cambodia as "inhumane, brutal and war-hungry", accusing it of targeting homes and civilian infrastructure. What is the state of diplomacy? The violence came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy in protest after the landmine injuries. Thailand's embassy in Phnom Penh urged its nationals to leave Cambodia "as soon as possible" unless they had urgent reasons to remain. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Thursday requested the UN Security Council convene an "urgent meeting" to address what his foreign ministry called "unprovoked military aggression". China, a close ally of Cambodia, said it was "deeply concerned" about the clashes, calling for dialogue. Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, called on its fellow ASEAN members, Thailand and Cambodia, to "stand down". Thai political crisis? The border dispute has also triggered a domestic political crisis in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office pending an ethics probe over her conduct. In an attempt to defuse the row, Paetongtarn held a diplomatic call with Hun Sen, Cambodia's former longtime ruler and father of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. The phone call was leaked from the Cambodian side last month, sparking a judicial investigation. Cambodia's future conscripts? Hun Manet announced this month that Cambodia would start conscripting civilians next year, activating a long-dormant mandatory draft law. He cited rising tensions with Thailand for the decision. Cambodia's conscription law dates back to 2006 but has never been enforced. Hun Manet has proposed conscripts serve for two years to bolster the country's 200,000 personnel, requiring citizens aged 18 to 30 to enlist in the military. AFP

Now that the Budget has finally been approved, GNU partners look ahead
Now that the Budget has finally been approved, GNU partners look ahead

Daily Maverick

time13 hours ago

  • Daily Maverick

Now that the Budget has finally been approved, GNU partners look ahead

For some parties, the GNU will endure despite tensions, urging focus on service delivery and economic reforms post-Budget approval. 'The GNU will survive, full stop,' said Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson Karabo Khakhau after a marathon session on Wednesday to pass the Appropriation Bill, which all Government of National Unity (GNU) parties supported. While the 10-party coalition united in pushing through the important Bill that ensures South Africa does not fall into a fiscal crisis, where to next for the GNU? For some parties, the GNU will survive its teething pains, and for others, now is the time to put aside party politicking in favour of getting the work done. After a protracted process since the firing of the DA's Andrew Whitfield, the deputy minister of trade, industry and competition, and the DA's announcement that it would not support votes for 'corruption-accused' ministers from the African National Congress (ANC), the DA eventually agreed to support the Bill and thus, the Budget. This came after President Cyril Ramaphosa fired Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane over the unfolding scandal in the Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) boards. But does this mean the GNU has managed to work out its differences? DA leader John Steenhuisen said, 'To preserve stability within the GNU, it is imperative that the Presidency urgently implements the dispute resolution mechanism outlined in the GNU Statement of Intent. Without it, governance risks being undermined by internal conflict. 'With the Budget now passed, the focus must shift decisively to service delivery and the rapid implementation of critical reforms to unlock economic growth and create jobs. DA-led ministries have already demonstrated measurable success, and we remain committed to delivering with excellence, professionalism, and integrity.' The fights between the two biggest parties in the GNU have often taken centre stage, from the signing into law of contentious legislation such as the Expropriation Act and the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act to Budget issues around the planned VAT increase, and recently, Whitfield's dismissal. Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie dismissed the squabbles as 'growing pains'. He told Daily Maverick, 'We are voting together — let me tell you, all families fight.' The controversial minister of sports, arts and culture, whose party is the fourth-biggest in the GNU, said the formation was a 'family' that fought internally, but stood together externally. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said, 'The passing of the Budget is a crucial process in the order of business by the National Legislature. We thank all parties that voted for the Budget.' The Sunday Times has reported that the ANC was looking to reconfigure the GNU. This week, ANC parliamentary chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli told Daily Maverick that at some point the GNU must be reset or reconfigured, 'but we never really drill it down to the details as to exactly what we mean by a reset or a reconfiguration'. But for other parties in the GNU, there needs to be clarity and re-evaluation. Rise Mzansi's national communications director, Mabine Seabe, said: 'Coalitions are by their very nature unstable, but the GNU can avoid many of the growing pains through maturity, particularly through an understanding that all political parties are equals — the often-peddled notion that smaller parties are in the GNU as a favour smacks of arrogance. We are all elected by constituencies, however big or small.' Seabe said that for this, the Leaders Forum and the Clearing House Mechanism needed to function and meet regularly, 'so that disagreements do not happen through media statements. 'This period has been punctuated by tussles over the Budget; therefore, all parties need to start those discussions earlier and with honesty so that the work of government and the Budget aren't held hostage by differing views.' The Good party's secretary-general, Brett Herron, said: 'Party political manoeuvring in the Government of National Unity is a distraction, defocusing the state from its parallel priorities to grow the economy and meet its constitutional obligations to provide social justice. 'Now that the nation has an approved Budget, the GNU partners must resist the creation of further crises and prioritise the work for which South African taxpayers, regardless of political affiliation, richly reward them.' DM

Nelson Mandela Bay mayor accused of ‘financial misconduct' over funding rollover for flood disaster projects
Nelson Mandela Bay mayor accused of ‘financial misconduct' over funding rollover for flood disaster projects

Daily Maverick

time13 hours ago

  • Daily Maverick

Nelson Mandela Bay mayor accused of ‘financial misconduct' over funding rollover for flood disaster projects

The ANC-led coalition government in Nelson Mandela Bay on Thursday rammed through the approval of a 'top up' from city coffers to fund flood disaster projects that were intended to be financed by a R53-million conditional grant. While the Nelson Mandela Bay metro remains at high risk of losing R53-million in flood disaster funding for Kariega, Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe on Wednesday urged council to approve that a top-up amount be paid from city coffers to fund the shortfall in the projects. According to council documents, the metro has spent R1.6-million of the proposed R52.3-million so far — and the mayor wants R7-million from the Roads and Stormwater budget to be reprioritised for flood projects as a 'top up'. Democratic Alliance councillor Rano Kayser pointed out to the mayor that the rollover for the funding had not yet been approved by the National Treasury. He cited a Treasury circular stating that rollovers would not be granted in cases where key positions such as city manager and chief financial officer (CFO) have been vacant for more than six months — or where CFOs have been serving in acting roles beyond that period. Kayser said the city failed to spend the money in time. 'The Acting City Manager gave us the assurance that the money will be spent,' Kayser said. 'He even boldly said he visited Kariega, but after all these visits he still failed to spend the R53-million.' In June 2024, Kariega was hit by devastating flash-flooding after a cloud burst dumped 230mm of rain in the area in less than two hours. In October, heavy rains in the metro again damaged parts of Kariega and Gqeberha. But as it was a conditional grant, there was a limited time during which the money could be spent. The metro did not spend the money in time and now has to apply for a rollover of funds. In a letter addressed to Lobishe, Kayser pointed out that the metro must apply for a rollover of the funds by 31 August and a decision in this regard will only be made by 22 October. He said despite no application for a rollover being made by the metro, Lobishe has now asked the metro to approve a 'top-up' budget to be paid from the metro's budget. This, Kayser pointed out in his letter, was 'financial misconduct. This item illustrates the failure and incompetence of the administration. The item is misleading to the council.' He stressed in council that no rollover of the funding had been approved. On its social media pages, the metro claimed the council approved the rollover of funding, but added that this must still be approved by National Treasury. 'I wrote to the executive mayor tabling the allegations of misconduct,' Kayser added. 'She has 7 days to bring the item to council. It has all the elements of misconduct.' He said the metro, through its failure to spend the money, had lost R53-million. 'It may be in the bank account, but it cannot be used. For every project relating to the floods the money has been lost.' The ACDP's Lance Grootboom agreed. 'This is conditional funding. You must apply to the National Treasury for a rollover first,' he said. He pointed out that Treasury was clear in a circular that no rollover requests will be considered where a municipality has a vacant CFO post or had a CFO in an acting position for more than six months. Added to the risk, Grootboom pointed out, is that the metro's city manager has been on suspension (since 2023). 'It is basically an illegal request,' he said. 'You want the metro to top up the money, but you will only get an answer [later].' He later said the issue would have to be addressed by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. The metro has a pattern of underspending grant funding from National Treasury and has in the past three years lost millions. The MMC for Budget and Treasury Khanya Ngqisha said the opposition was telling the metro not to spend the money. 'We have an accounting officer. He doesn't take decisions without advice. The problem is that some of the political parties listen to wrong advice from junior officials.' He admitted that no money was spent yet. 'If there is anything wrong, the Auditor-General will deal with it.' Acting City Manager Ted Pillay said Lobishe's request should be amended to indicate a budget adjustment instead of a rollover. This was then approved by the council. However, Lobishe then later, after voting, said she didn't want the changes proposed by Pillay. 'He had no right to correct my item. I didn't fix it myself.' A second decision, this time based on the original, unamended item, was then passed — despite objections from opposition councillors, who argued this violated council procedures. They said the proper route was for the Speaker to take the item on review. DM

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