logo
Spillover of Syrian violence to Lebanon adds 'new layer of worry'

Spillover of Syrian violence to Lebanon adds 'new layer of worry'

The National17-07-2025
Lebanon has been witnessing rising internal tensions amid the spillover of Syrian violence involving Druze communities and pro-government forces.
'The last thing we need now is more tension between different groups,' said a security source in Beirut.
Hundreds were killed in days of fighting between Druze fighters and government forces and allied groups in Sweida. The southern Syrian city is a predominantly Druze city. The violence escalated significantly on Wednesday when Israel carried out strikes on Damascus, while also pressing attacks on Syrian government forces in the south.
'The violence in Syria is spreading to Lebanon. We are seeing heightened tensions between Sunnis and Druze,' the source added.
The Druze are a small religious sect that emerged from a branch of Islam in the 11th century. Their faith blends elements of Islam with ancient traditions. About one million Druze live across the Middle East, mainly in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel.
Lebanese security sources warned that Druze communities in some villages are expelling Syrian workers, while others have been attacking cars belonging to Syrians passing through.
Meanwhile, several demonstrations in support of Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS), the Islamist group that Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara led, took place in northern Lebanon, accompanied by warnings that extremist groups are preparing for 'action,' according to the sources who did not further elaborate.
Lebanon is already in a fragile state, with concerns existing over possible clashes between Hezbollah-aligned Shiites and Sunni factions linked to extremist groups.
In addition to concerns of sectarian fighting, Israel has continued striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on a daily basis, despite a truce agreement reached in November.
'This Druze-Sunni tension adds a new layer of worry. We are dealing with intercommunal strife, Syrian-related unrest, a continuing conflict with Israel, and the threat of terrorist attacks. It's just too much at this point,' said another security source.
The Lebanese army announced last month the arrest of the suspected leader of ISIS in Lebanon, accusing him of planning attacks.
Authorities fear that dormant ISIS and other extremist cells in Lebanon could now be activated in retaliation or as part of a wider plan to destabilise the country amid renewed instability in neighbouring Syria.
Although largely driven underground after a major military defeat in 2017, ISIS and other extremist groups have fought bloody battles with the Lebanese army in the past and carried out bombings against Hezbollah and its supporters.
Now, with Syria's political landscape shifting after the collapse of the Assad regime last year, Lebanese officials warn that the threat is far from over.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Gaza suffering is 'unbearable', says EU commissioner
Gaza suffering is 'unbearable', says EU commissioner

The National

time8 minutes ago

  • The National

Gaza suffering is 'unbearable', says EU commissioner

International pressure on Israel to alleviate 'unbearable' suffering in Gaza is set to increase at an upcoming conference in New York in support of a Palestinian state, the EU commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica has told The National. The UN has warned of mass starvation in Gaza engineered by Israel, but Benjamin Netanyahu's government rejects the accusation and blames Hamas. In the meantime the number of deaths from starvation rises steadily. 'The situation there is unbearable,' Ms Suica said. 'This is exactly the reason there is a conference. It won't solve that but it can help, because France and Saudi Arabia are organising it. Many foreign ministers will follow, and I will join on behalf of the European Commission.' A two-state solution such as that backed by the bloc and its Arab partners appears to many more elusive than ever. Israel's parliament this week called for the annexation of all Jewish settlements in the West Bank – in effect blocking the possibility of a future Palestinian state. Ms Suica, a Croatian politician who is scheduled to represent the EU at this month's conference, plays a central role in shaping the EU's economic diplomacy in the Middle East. The budget she oversees was doubled last week to €42.5 billion in the EU Commission's latest seven-year budget proposal. In October, Ms Suica will present a 'new pact for the Mediterranean', which is expected to include concrete partnerships with the region, starting with the first joint energy conference with GCC countries in Brussels on December 15. The idea is to show the region that the EU is not neglecting relations with the Arab world despite being also focusing on what is viewed as Russia's existential threat in Ukraine. Though not part of the Mediterranean region, Gulf countries are to be integrated in the new pact as privileged partners. 'We badly need them to get with us, because their interest is to have peace, security and prosperity in the region,' Ms Suica said. We want to be a player, not only a payer EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica Ms Suica, who is in charge the EU's funding to the Palestinian Authority, said that the EU would invite partners in New York to join a newly launched donor platform. It also aims to co-ordinate international efforts for the reconstruction of postwar Gaza once a permanent ceasefire is achieved. EU pressure Brussels views the Palestinian Authority (PA), which has been considerably weakened by Israel, as the only alternative to Hamas in governing Gaza. As its primary financial supporter, the EU increased its funding to the PA this year to €620 million in grants, up from €400 million in grants and loans in 2024. The bloc also recently released €52 million in funding for UNRWA, though Ms Suica signalled hopes that, over time, the PA will assume responsibility for essential services. 'Once they take over services, like health and education, they will be powerful enough to show that they can be a counterpart to Israel,' she said. 'This is what we want to achieve.' Gulf countries as well as OECD states, including the UK, Australia and Japan, would be considered strong partners to the new donor platform. There is a widespread view that the US mediates conflicts in the region while the EU finances reconstruction – but Ms Suica wants that to change, pointing to the Middle East's geographical proximity to Europe. Her motto is: 'We want to be a player, not only a payer.' While the New York conference is not expected to yield immediate decisions, it aims to offer a renewed political horizon for resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict. Participants are set to express their concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Yet both Israel and the US will be absent, and France's stated intention to issue its own recognition of Palestine at a follow-up leaders' meeting in September has angered Israel. Despite Israel's reputation suffering a blow during the Gaza war, EU unity on the conflict remains fragile – a fact recognised by Ms Suica. 'Let's see whether this conference in New York will help, because it will be worldwide, and I am sure that they [Israelis] also don't want to have such an image in the world,' she said. EU countries failed last week to adopt of any of the 10 measures put forward by the bloc's foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, after her services found that Israel had breached a human rights clause enshrined in its relations with the bloc. Her proposals included suspending trade preferences and scientific partnerships. All options One measure that did gain consensus was a deal to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. Yet EU ambassadors in Brussels were reported to have been widely dissatisfied with its roll-out and impact at their first update this week. Ms Kallas on Tuesday warned that 'all options remain on the table if Israel doesn't deliver on its pledges'. Her office did not answer a question from The National asking whether she would participate in the upcoming conference in New York. Israel has killed close to 60,000 Gazans in 21 months of war, after around 1,200 died in Hamas-led attacks in Israel. Ms Suica reiterated the EU's insistence on Israel keeping border crossings open to ensure the flow of humanitarian assistance. 'They opened some crossings, but still, we are monitoring closely what's going on. We need more,' she said. Regional efforts In addition to her work on Palestine, Ms Suica has been actively engaging with Middle Eastern partners to forge long-term region-to-region co-operation. This includes a strategic partnership signed with Jordan in January and discussions on green energy initiatives with Morocco, such as maritime port decarbonisation. She described the frequent accusation that such partnerships are focused solely on keeping migrants out of Europe as false. 'We don't impose anything. We don't have a template,' Ms Suica said. There has also been a measure of behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts, with the Israeli, Palestinian and Syrian foreign ministers sitting at the same table at a meeting in Brussels last week. In June, Ms Suica announced a €175 million aid package for Syria. She recalls being told during meetings with Syria's Finance Ministry and central bank governor that while the country was happy to see the EU return after the fall of the Assad regime, there was fear of European interference. 'We don't want to interfere, but we want to accompany you. We want to assist you,' she answered. On Palestine, the philosophy is the same, she said, pointing to its financial support for the PA. 'I cannot predict what will happen, but we are doing our best to achieve a two-state solution,' Ms Suica said.

SCA refers licensed company to Public Prosecution, imposes fine of $1.36mln for misleading clients
SCA refers licensed company to Public Prosecution, imposes fine of $1.36mln for misleading clients

Zawya

timean hour ago

  • Zawya

SCA refers licensed company to Public Prosecution, imposes fine of $1.36mln for misleading clients

The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) has imposed a record fine of AED5 million on a licensed company and referred the matter to the Public Prosecution, in a decisive move to safeguard market integrity and enforce regulatory compliance. The action follows confirmed violations of anti-money laundering (AML) laws, counter-terrorism financing regulations, and measures related to the funding of illicit organisations. An in-depth investigation revealed that the entity in question, in collaboration with an overseas company, engaged in deceptive practices targeting investors within the UAE by falsely suggesting that the foreign company was licensed by the Authority, with the intent of misappropriating client funds. The referral of the case to the competent judicial authorities underscores the Authority's unwavering commitment to transparency and to upholding the highest standards of regulatory compliance. By escalating the case to judicial authorities, the SCA reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, deterrence, and regulatory compliance, in line with international best practices. The SCA reiterated its strategic focus on proactive oversight, risk-based supervision, and strict compliance enforcement, all of which support the UAE's positioning as a trusted and competitive global financial hub.

Saudi Arabia launches $5bn investment drive in Syria, unveils flagship tower project in Damascus
Saudi Arabia launches $5bn investment drive in Syria, unveils flagship tower project in Damascus

Arabian Business

time4 hours ago

  • Arabian Business

Saudi Arabia launches $5bn investment drive in Syria, unveils flagship tower project in Damascus

Saudi Arabia has announced $5 billion in investment and partnership agreements with Syria during a high-level visit aimed at deepening economic ties and supporting the country's post-conflict recovery. The delegation, led by Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih, includes around 150 officials and investors from the Kingdom's public and private sectors. The visit was organised by the Ministry of Investment in coordination with the Federation of Saudi Chambers, in line with directives from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. بتوجيه قيادتنا الرشيدة، أيّدها الله، وصلت مع وفد رفيع المستوى إلى الجمهورية العربية السورية الشقيقة، لتعزيز العلاقات الثنائية واستكشاف الفرص الاستثمارية. ونعقد غدًا #المنتدى_الاستثماري_السوري_السعودي ، تأكيدًا لشراكتنا الاستراتيجية وتمكينًا للشركات السعودية من التّوسع إقليميًا. — خالد الفالح | Khalid Al Falih (@Khalid_AlFalih) July 23, 2025 A key highlight of the visit was the official launch of Al-Jawhara (Jewel) Tower, a landmark 32-storey real estate development in central Damascus, in the Al-Bahsa district. The project, valued at over $100 million, was inaugurated by Minister Al-Falih and Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad Nidal Al-Shaar during the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum, held on Wednesday in the Syrian capital. According to the Ministry, the Jewel Tower spans over 25,210 square metres, with an investment exceeding SAR 375 million ($100 million). The mixed-use project will include: Administrative offices (15 floors, 6,500 m²), Retail units (1,300 m²), Hotel accommodation (15 floors, 6,500 m²), A panoramic rooftop restaurant, and A four-level underground car park (2,400 m²). The tower aims to serve as a commercial and hospitality hub, offering premium-grade business, leisure and tourism infrastructure. وضع معالي وزير الاستثمار @Khalid_AlFalih حجر الأساس لمشروع "برج الجوهرة" الذي يُعد من أبرز المشاريع العقارية في المنطقة؛ ليكون انطلاقة جديدة نحو شراكات إقليمية واستثمارات عقارية واعدة. #منتدى_الاستثمار_السوري_السعودي2025 — وزارة الاستثمار (@MISA) July 23, 2025 'Our visit to the brotherly Syrian Arab Republic is under the guidance of our wise leadership,' Al-Falih wrote on social media platform X. 'We aim to strengthen bilateral relations and explore promising investment opportunities. The forum reaffirms our strategic partnership and empowers Saudi companies to expand regionally.' The broader investment package includes deals across real estate, infrastructure, telecoms, logistics, energy, tourism, industry, and trade, according to the ministry. Also inaugurated during the visit was the Fayhaa White Cement Factory in Adra Industrial City, backed by a $20 million investment from Northern Region Cement Co. of Saudi Arabia. The facility is expected to generate 130 direct and over 1,000 indirect jobs. دشنت اليوم، برفقة وزير الاقتصاد السوري الدكتور محمد نضال الشعار، أول مصنع للأسمنت الأبيض في ريف دمشق، باستثمارات تبلغ 100 مليون ريال. يهدف هذا المشروع إلى توسيع القاعدة الإنتاجية لقطاع الأسمنت في سوريا بما يدعم مرحلة الإعمار المقبلة التي نراهن على نجاحها بعون الله. — خالد الفالح | Khalid Al Falih (@Khalid_AlFalih) July 23, 2025 The visit comes amid a thaw in Saudi-Syrian relations, marked by the reopening of the Kingdom's embassy in Damascus in May 2024 after a 12-year closure. Syria recently amended its investment laws to attract more foreign capital — changes welcomed by Saudi officials as facilitating smoother entry for businesses. 'The Syrian government wants to prove to the world that Syria is a safe and attractive zone for all investments and investors,' said Syria's Minister of Information, Dr. Hamza al-Mustafa. Bilateral trade has also seen a sharp uptick. In April, Saudi non-oil exports to Syria surged over 150 per cent year-on-year to SAR 81.9 million, while imports from Syria rose nearly 150 per cent to SAR 78.5 million, according to the Saudi General Authority for Statistics. Key exports include plastics, foodstuffs, and agricultural products, while imports are largely agricultural and processed food items. Before Syria's civil war erupted in 2011, the two countries enjoyed robust trade relations worth $1.3 billion annually.

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