Syrian Forces Deployed in Majority-Druse Town After Clash
Syrian security forces were deployed across a predominately Druse town on the outskirts of Damascus, the capital, early Sunday, two days after a gunfight between government officers and armed men from a local neighborhood left one person dead and several others wounded.
A tense calm has returned to the town, Jaramana, after the deadly clash Friday night between the security forces of Syria's new government and the Druse, a religious minority. The person killed was a security officer, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which added that nine other people were wounded.
Druse spiritual leaders blamed the killing on 'an undisciplined mob that does not belong to our customs, nor to our known monotheistic traditions or customs.'
There were conflicting reports about how the episode unfolded in Jaramana, but the clash was thrust into the international spotlight on Saturday when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said he had instructed the military 'to prepare and deliver a strong and clear warning message: If the regime harms the Druse — it will be harmed by us.'
The Druse are a religious minority with populations in Syria, including the Golan Heights territory, which Israel captured and illegally annexed, and in Lebanon and Israel.
Syrian Druse and government leaders swiftly and strongly rejected any threats of intervention by Israel.
'We are Syrian Arab nationals, and we await a response from the administration and government,' said Rabih Munthir, a Druse leader in Jaramana. 'We are not asking for protection from anyone, and we won't ask for protection from anyone. We are citizens who have been living on this land for more than 1,000 years.'
A Syrian security official, Lt. Col. Hossam al-Tahan, the chief of the security directorate in the Damascus suburbs, said Saturday that it was working with local leaders to track down all who had been involved in the shooting.
'We affirm that no entity will be allowed to undermine Syria's unity,' he said, according to the Syrian state media. 'Our only issue is with those who carried out the attack and assault, and we urge rational minds to recognize that this path threatens Syria's security, stability and unity.'
Just days after Syrian rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad in early December, Israel carried out numerous incursions in Syria, raiding villages, launching hundreds of airstrikes, destroying military outposts and threatening residents. Israel has described the incursions as temporary measures to protect its own security, but they have gone on for three months and have raised fears among Syrians of a prolonged military occupation.
Israel's attacks on Syria have been condemned internationally, and in January the United Nations said that 'Syria's sovereignty, territorial unity, and integrity must be fully restored.'
Since Mr. al-Assad and his government were ousted by the rebel coalition, its leader, Ahmed al-Shara, who was appointed interim president last month, has sought to allay concerns that his Sunni Islamist group would target religious minorities.
He has spoken regularly of the need to unite Syria's many religious and ethnic minorities to build a new Syria after more than 13 years of a brutal civil war.
Last week, the country held its first national dialogue which included representatives from Syria's many sects, including Sunnis, Alawites, Druse, Christians and Kurds.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Miami Herald
U.N. sounds alarm over worsening human rights crisis in Venezuela
Civil and political freedoms in Venezuela have sharply deteriorated over the past year, according to the United Nations' top human rights official, who cited a wave of arbitrary arrests, disappearances and alleged torture amid growing political unrest. In a presentation before the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said Friday that the Venezuelan government has intensified its crackdown on dissent, using vague anti-terrorism laws to detain opposition figures, activists and foreign nationals ahead of the country's contentious 2024 elections. Türk also criticized the United States, expressing concern over the deportation of Venezuelans back to what he described as unsafe conditions. 'I repeat my call on the U.S. government to ensure compliance with due process … and to stop the removal of any person to any country where there is a risk of irreparable harm,' he said. Deportation flights resumed this year as part of U.S. efforts to curb irregular migration. Rights groups warn that many deportees face retaliation or mistreatment upon return to Venezuela. Türk's report details at least 70 politically motivated arrests in the lead-up to recent regional and parliamentary elections, including 17 foreign nationals. Following the vote, authorities announced the dismantling of a so-called terrorist network allegedly tied to humanitarian and rights organizations — claims Türk dismissed as a misuse of counterterrorism legislation. The U.N. rights chief called for the 'immediate and unconditional' release of all individuals arbitrarily detained, naming several high-profile human rights defenders, including Rocío San Miguel, Javier Tarazona, Carlos Julio Rojas and Eduardo Torres. According to the report, some detainees have disappeared without a trace, while others face legal proceedings without basic safeguards. At least 28 enforced disappearances were documented after Venezuela's July 2024 presidential election, including 12 foreign nationals who were reportedly denied access to consular support. Since the election, more than 2,000 people have been arrested, including minors. Dozens of political opponents and protesters have been killed or have vanished. Victims include not only Venezuelan citizens but also foreign nationals, such as Colombian aid worker Manuel Tique and French-American tourist Lucas Hunter, both missing since late 2024. The humanitarian crisis is compounded by Venezuela's crumbling infrastructure. Power outages and water shortages are frequent, and inflation has made basic goods inaccessible to much of the population. According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, more than five million Venezuelans are facing hunger. Preventable diseases like malaria and measles are spreading amid a collapsed healthcare system. Public services have disintegrated, and violent crime — including kidnappings, armed robberies, and extortion — is widespread. 'My office documented 32 cases of torture and ill-treatment in detention,' Türk said, noting that nearly half involved minors. Inmates were allegedly held incommunicado and denied medical care, food and water — particularly after protesting prison conditions. Türk also warned of increasing restrictions on civil society. A law passed in November regulating non-governmental organizations has made it nearly impossible for many advocacy groups to operate. Organizations now face unlawful registration demands, arbitrary fees and administrative barriers not clearly defined in the legislation. Several non-governmental organizations 'have felt compelled to end their operations in Venezuela because of legal obstacles,' he said. His report describes an atmosphere of fear that disproportionately affects women, marginalized communities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Women remain underrepresented in public life, and victims of gender-based violence continue to face systemic barriers to justice. Abortion remains criminalized in all cases, including rape and incest. LGBTQ+ individuals, Türk added, often face abuse while in custody, and many hate crimes go unprosecuted. While focused largely on political rights, the U.N. report also highlights Venezuela's deepening economic collapse. With inflation worsening, the monthly minimum wage remains at just 130 bolívares — less than $1 — which has remained unchanged since March 2022. That's barely enough to buy half a carton of eggs, according to the report. Public services have all but collapsed. School attendance plummeted in 2024 amid widespread teacher shortages and class suspensions. Hospitals are chronically under-resourced, with 91% of patients surveyed between January and July asked to bring their own supplies for surgery. 'The authorities' ability to fund essential public services is severely limited,' Türk said. He urged Venezuelan authorities to end enforced disappearances and incommunicado detentions, to provide consular access to foreign detainees, and to repeal laws restricting civic and political participation. Türk said he remains open to reengagement with the Maduro government — but only if U.N. human rights staff are granted full access to the country, a condition Caracas has resisted in recent years. 'I believe in engagement, and I am committed to it,' he said. 'But I do hope the authorities will fulfill the necessary conditions to ensure the full return of all my staff and the implementation of our mandate.'
Miami Herald
16 hours ago
- Miami Herald
From protection to peril: What end of TPS means for Haitians in South Florida, elsewhere
The Trump administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status for over half-a-million Haitians living in the United States has sent shock waves throughout South Florida, the beating heart of the Haitian community in the United States. Many advocates and experts expected the decision. It comes after Trump moved to end the deportation protections for Venezuela and rolled them back a year-and-a-half for Haiti. Now, hundreds of thousands of people are vulnerable to being forced to return to the Caribbean country, where the government is crumbling and armed gangs are terrorizing the population. A recent report from the United Nations found that Haiti is as dangerous for children as the Gaza Strip. Below, we break down what this move means, who it affects, and what may come next. Q: What is Temporary Protected Status? A: TPS is a humanitarian immigration program that allows citizens from countries facing natural disasters, armed conflict or extraordinary instability to temporarily live and work in the United States. It does not provide a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship, but it shields recipients from deportation as long as their country remains designated under TPS because they are unable to return there safely. Congress created TPS in 1990. The Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to designate countries and periodically review countries to grant or continue the protections. Q: Why was Haiti granted TPS in the first place? A: President Barack Obama first designated Haiti for TPS in the aftermath of the catastrophic 2010 earthquake near the capital of Port-au-Prince, which killed more than 300,000 people and devastated the country's infrastructure. Over the years, TPS has been repeatedly renewed due to chronic instability, gang violence, economic collapse and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Q: How many Haitians in the U.S. are affected by the decision? A: Nearly 521,000 Haitian nationals are currently protected under TPS. Many have lived in the U.S. for years, built families, held jobs and contributed to their communities. Many are also part of mixed-status families where the immigration status of the households can range from undocumented to green-card holders and U.S.-born citizens. Q: What exactly did the Trump administration announce? A: On Friday, the Department of Homeland Security said the U.S. will end Haiti's TPS designation, citing 'sufficient improvement' in the conditions that allegedly make it safe for Haitians to return. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had already rolled back the Biden-era extension of February 2026, moving it up to August 3, 2025. Deportations are expected to begin after Sept. 2. Q: How did the administration justify the decision? A: A DHS spokesperson claimed the move 'restores integrity in our immigration system' by ensuring TPS remains 'temporary.' The department asserted that Haiti's conditions have improved enough to permit safe return. Q: Is Haiti really safe to return to? A: Many experts— and even the U.S. State Department — disagree. The State Department currently warns Americans not to travel to Haiti due to 'kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and limited health care.' This week, the agency urged Americans to depart the Caribbean country 'as soon as possible' or to be prepared to shelter in place for a long time. Armed gangs control up to 90% of Port-au-Prince. Over a million Haitians are displaced, and 5.7 million face acute hunger, according to the United Nations' Humanitarian Affairs Office. There has also been a collapse of social services, and many children are unable to go to school. Haitians who are deported face the risk of having to cross gang-controlled roads to get home — or having nowhere to go to if returned because gangs have taken over people's homes and neighborhoods. Q: What does this mean for Haitian TPS holders now? A: Haitian nationals under the designation must prepare to leave by Sept. 2, 2025, unless a court intervenes or the administration reverses course. DHS has 'encouraged' them to use the CBP One app to 'self-deport' — meaning leave the country voluntarily. Without TPS, Haitians will lose legal protection from deportation and authorization to work in the U.S. if they don't have other immigration process going. Q: Could this decision face legal challenges? A: It is very likely. The Trump administration attempted to end TPS for Haitians and others back in 2017, but the move was successfully challenged in federal court. Immigration advocates and legal organizations are expected to file lawsuits again, arguing that conditions in Haiti remain too dangerous for return. There is also an ongoing lawsuit in New York related to Noem's earlier decision to roll back Haiti's TPS Haiti's by 18 months. READ MORE: Haitians and clergy group sue Trump over decision to end protection from deportation Q: Didn't Biden already extend TPS for Haitians until 2026? A: Yes. In July 2024, before leaving office, President Biden extended TPS for Haitians through February 2026. However, Secretary Noem ordered a review of the extension and rolled back the expiration to Aug. 3, 2025. The legality of that reversal may also be contested in court. Q: How does this fit into Trump's broader immigration agenda? A: Since returning to office, President Trump has focused on aggressively undoing Biden-era immigration policies. He has sought to drastically limit humanitarian programs, including ending CHNV — a two-year parole program for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela — and reducing TPS designations. The Supreme Court recently allowed the administration to revoke CHNV protections while legal challenges are ongoing. Trump also enacted a travel ban that limits visa issuance and entry for nationals from Venezuela, Haiti and Cuba. Q: What happens to other migrant groups under TPS or parole? A: The Haitian decision follows similar revocations for Afghans and Venezuelans. Around 350,000 Venezuelans may lose protection when their status ends in September. Advocates fear a domino effect targeting all migrants with temporary status under humanitarian grounds. Q: What are advocates and immigration attorneys saying? A: Immigrant rights groups say the decision is inhumane and premature, pointing to the spiraling gang violence, hunger crisis and government collapse in Haiti. Deporting people to a country without a functioning government, basic services or security, they argue, violates international human-rights norms. The Florida Immigrant Coalition said in a statement on Friday that Haiti was not in 'any shape to sustain human dignity and life, and any suggestion to the contrary is nothing but lies.' Q: What should Haitian TPS holders do now? A: Legal experts urge Haitians to consult immigration attorneys immediately. Some may qualify for other forms of relief or adjustment of status, such as a spouse- or family-based green-card petition. Others may be eligible for asylum if they can show evidence they would face persecution or violence upon return. Q: What is the political reaction to the announcement? A: Critics have slammed the decision as part of Trump's hard-line anti-immigration platform, which he promoted during his campaign with inflammatory and false remarks — including a 2024 campaign claim from Trump that Haitians 'eat their neighbors' pets.' Supporters argue that the administration is restoring the original, temporary intent of TPS and reclaiming executive control over immigration enforcement. READ MORE: 'It's a disaster.' In Miami, Trump leans into pet-eating falsehoods about Haitians Q: What's next? A: Lawsuits are expected, and courts may delay or block TPS termination, as happened in 2018. Advocacy groups plan to lobby Congress for a permanent solution, like a pathway to residency for long-term TPS holders. In the meantime, more than half a million Haitian immigrants are once again left in limbo.
New York Times
17 hours ago
- New York Times
Cocaine Is the Fastest-Growing Illegal Drug Worldwide. Here's Why.
More people around the world are using illicit drugs than ever — more than 316 million in 2023. Marijuana is the most used drug, followed by opioids and amphetamines. But it is the cocaine market that continues to break records year after year. Global production reached a new high in 2023, racing to meet record demand and fueling new highs in cocaine-related deaths in many countries in recent years, according to a United Nations report released on Thursday. An estimated 25 million people used cocaine worldwide in 2023 — up from 17 million a decade earlier. Production jumped by 34 percent from 2022. Tracking the production and consumption of illicit drugs, including cocaine, is complex and time-consuming. The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime's annual World Drug Report, which this year includes data through 2023, is one of the few sources of global data on the illegal drug trade. Here's what it shows about the worldwide cocaine market. Where does cocaine come from? The coca plant, the main ingredient for cocaine, is primarily cultivated in Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. Colombia drove the recent increase in illegal cocaine production because of an expansion of coca cultivation areas and better yields from each acre. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
