Latest news with #Al-Baba
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First Post
15-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Amid bloody Sunni-Druze clashes, Israel warns Syria with fresh strike on tanks
In Syria's Sweida region, fighting between local militias and tribes has claimed the lives of several dozen individuals. Government security troops dispatched to restore order on Monday fought with local armed groups read more Syrian government security forces gather on the outskirts of Sweida province where clashes erupted between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin clans, southern Syria. AP Israel's army said Monday it destroyed military tanks in southern Syria, as government forces and Bedouin tribes battled with Druze militias in the latest escalation in the Middle Eastern country battling for peace after a 13-year civil war. In Syria's Sweida region, fighting between local militias and tribes has claimed the lives of several dozen individuals. Government security troops dispatched to restore order on Monday fought with local armed groups. According to Syria's Interior Ministry, at than 30 people have been killed and almost 100 injured. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported at least 99 deaths, including two children, two women, and 14 security forces personnel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The conflicts in Syria began between armed groups from the Druze and Sunni Bedouin clans, according to the observatory, with some members of the government security forces 'actively participating' in favour of the Bedouin. According to Syrian Interior Ministry spokeswoman Noureddine al-Baba, government soldiers entered Sweida early this morning to restore order. 'Some clashes occurred with outlawed armed groups, but our forces are doing their best to prevent any civilian casualties,' he told state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV. Clashes fundamentally 'not sectarian' in nature Al-Baba told The Associated Press that the 'clashes are fundamentally not sectarian in nature.' 'The real conflict is between the state and bandits and criminals, not between the state and any Syrian community,' he said. 'On the contrary, the state views the Druze community in Sweida as a partner in advancing the national unity project.' Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the observatory, said the conflict started with the kidnapping and robbery of a Druze vegetable seller by members of a Bedouin tribe who set up a checkpoint, leading to tit-for-tat attacks and kidnappings. The Interior Ministry described the situation as a dangerous escalation that 'comes in the absence of the relevant official institutions, which has led to an exacerbation of the state of chaos, the deterioration of the security situation, and the inability of the local community to contain the situation.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD U.N. Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi expressed 'deep concern' over the violence and urged the government and local groups to 'take immediate steps to protect civilians, restore calm, and prevent incitement.' She said in a statement the clashes underscored the 'urgent need for genuine inclusion, trust-building, and meaningful dialogue to advance a credible and inclusive political transition in Syria.' Israel sees Druze as a loyal minority Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that the Israeli military 'attacked targets in Syria as a message and a clear warning to the Syrian regime — we will not allow harm to the Druze in Syria.' In Israel, the Druze are seen as a loyal minority and often serve in the armed forces. While many Druze in Syria have said they do not want Israel to intervene on their behalf, factions from the Druze minority have also been suspicious of the new authorities in Damascus after former President Bashar Assad fled the country in December during a rebel offensive led by Sunni Islamist insurgent groups. On several occasions, Druze groups have clashed with security forces from the new government or allied factions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In May, Israeli forces struck a site near the presidential palace in Damascus, in what was seen as a warning to Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The strike came after dozens were killed in fighting between pro-government gunmen and Druze fighters in the town of Sahnaya and the Druze-majority Damascus suburb of Jaramana. Over half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. Most other Druze live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981. A group led by Sheikh Hikmat Al-Hijri, a Druze spiritual leader who has been opposed to the new government in Damascus, on Monday issued a statement calling for 'international protection' and accused government forces and General Security agency of 'supporting takfiri gangs' — using a term for extremist Sunni militants. Syria's Foreign Ministry called for 'all countries and organizations to respect the authority of the Syrian Arab Republic and refrain from supporting any separatist rebel movements.' In a statement, it called for Syrians to 'cease acts of violence, surrender illegal weapons and thwart those seeking to dismantle the Syrian social fabric and sow discord and division.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Like unwrapping an onion' The Druze religious sect is a minority group that began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam. In Syria, they largely live in the southern Sweida province and some suburbs of Damascus, mainly in Jaramana and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya to the south. The Druze developed their own militias during the country's nearly 14-year civil war, during which they sometimes faced attacks by the Islamic State group and other militant groups. Israel has taken an aggressive stance toward Syria's new leaders since Assad's fall, saying it does not want Islamic militants near its borders. Israeli forces earlier seized a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone on Syrian territory along the border with the Golan Heights and have launched hundreds of airstrikes on military sites in Syria. The Trump administration has been pushing for the new Syrian government to move toward normalization with Israel. Syrian officials have acknowledged holding indirect talks with Israel to attempt to defuse tensions, but have not responded to reports that the two sides have also held direct talks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US envoy to Syria Tom Barrack told The Associated Press last week that he believes normalizing ties will happen 'like unwrapping an onion, slowly.'
Daily News Egypt
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Syria says situation in Suwayda heading towards ‘resolution' after Druze-Bedouin clashes kill dozens
Syria's interior ministry said on Monday that the situation in the southern province of Suwayda was heading towards a 'resolution' in favour of the state, after violent clashes between local Druze groups and Bedouin tribesmen killed more than 30 people. A source in the defence ministry also announced that six Syrian army soldiers were killed during operations to disengage the warring factions. Suwayda has witnessed rapid security developments since Saturday evening, with fierce clashes erupting that have left more than 30 dead and around 100 injured, according to an official statement from the interior ministry on Monday. 'Things are heading towards a resolution in favour of the Syrian state, within the vision of the presidency,' interior ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba told Syria's Al-Ekhbariya TV channel. Al-Baba said that interior and defence forces had entered Suwayda in the early morning hours and expected the situation to be resolved by Monday afternoon. He noted that the security deployment plan was implemented after positive communication with influential parties in the province and claimed that outlaw groups were using civilians as 'human shields.' The interior ministry said in an earlier statement that the 'dangerous escalation' in Suwayda came amid a vacuum of official institutions, 'which led to the exacerbation of chaos, a breakdown in the security situation, and the inability of the local community to contain the crisis despite repeated calls for calm.' The confrontations erupted following the theft of a car on a highway linking Suwayda to the capital, Damascus, which was followed by the mutual detention of civilians from Hasakah and Suwayda provinces. The situation then escalated into armed clashes between military groups and Bedouin tribes in the al-Maqous neighbourhood of Suwayda city, according to the interior ministry. The fighting involved gunfire and shelling, causing damage to homes, and explosions were heard east of the city. The clashes later expanded to villages such as al-Sura al-Kabira and al-Tira, where homes and properties were burned, and mass displacement was reported from some areas. The defence ministry said it had begun deploying specialised military units and providing safe corridors for civilians, noting that the institutional vacuum had contributed to the escalating chaos. Sheikh Yusuf Jarbou', the spiritual leader of the Druze community, led mediation efforts that resulted in the release of all detainees. The spiritual leadership of the Druze warned of a 'despicable hidden sedition' and affirmed that 'bloodshed is a red line.' The Men of Dignity movement, a local Druze militia, called for a general mobilisation, accusing the government of failing to protect civilians while maintaining its defensive stance. Suwayda is a stronghold of the Druze community in Syria, with an estimated population of about 700,000. The province witnessed similar clashes in April and May, which resulted in 119 deaths before truce agreements were reached between the government and community leaders.
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Business Standard
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Islamic State group was behind deadly attack on Damascus church, says Syria
The sleeper cell behind a deadly church bombing near Damascus belonged to the Islamic State group, which had plans to target a Shiite shrine in a similar attack, Syria's Interior Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday. Sunday's attack on the Mar Elias church killed at least 25 people. The attack was the first of its kind in Syria in years, and comes as Damascus under de facto Islamist rule is trying to win the support of the country's minorities. Noureddine Al-Baba told journalists a second attacker was caught Monday on his way to target a Shiite shrine in the Sayyida Zeinab suburb in Damascus, where many sites of the Islamic sect are located. Al-Baba said security forces also thwarted a third operation, where an attacker on a motorbike was going to target a crowded gathering in the capital. He did not give further details. We raided IS hideouts, seizing weapons and explosive caches, said Al-Baba, who said security forces were able to reach the sleeper cell's leader after interrogating the second attacker. He said the church bomber was not Syrian but did not give details. Al-Baba said cell leader Mohammad Abdelillah al-Jumaili was an IS leader responsible for recruiting extremists from the sprawling Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria to conduct attacks. Tens of thousands of IS militants and their families from around the world live in Al-Hol, held by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The SDF condemned the attack on Sunday. Meanwhile, funerals were held for the victims of the church bombing at the Church of the Holy Cross in Damascus. Church bells rang and women ululated as men walked through the weeping crowds carrying white coffins. The crowds cheered as the clergy honoured the victims as martyrs. Dima Beshara, 40, who lost her cousin Emil, 38, and seven other family members in the attack said Syria has always enjoyed religious coexistence and that she was among many from all sects who celebrated the downfall of ousted leader Bashar Assad in December. What did they do wrong? They went to the house of God to pray? Beshara said at the graveyard. Am I supposed to be scared every time I want to go and pray? She fears for her life and those of her loved ones, who regularly attend church for prayers, weddings and funerals. We love everyone. We don't have a problem with anyone. But we hope that they love us in return, she said.
Japan Today
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Syria says Islamic State group was behind deadly attack on a Damascus church
Mourners gather around the coffin of a victim of Sunday's suicide bombing at Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church, during a funeral service held at al-Saleeb Church in the al-Qasaa neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki) By GHAITH ALSAYED and KAREEM CHEHAYEB The sleeper cell behind a deadly church bombing near Damascus belonged to the Islamic State group, which had plans to target a Shiite shrine in a similar attack, Syria 's Interior Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday. Sunday's attack on the Mar Elias church killed at least 25 people. The attack was the first of its kind in Syria in years, and comes as Damascus under de facto Islamist rule is trying to win the support of the country's minorities. Noureddine Al-Baba told journalists a second attacker was caught Monday on his way to target a Shiite shrine in the Sayyida Zeinab suburb in Damascus, where many sites of the Islamic sect are located. Al-Baba said security forces also thwarted a third operation, where an attacker on a motorbike was going to target a crowded gathering in the capital. He did not give further details. 'We raided IS hideouts, seizing weapons and explosive caches,' said Al-Baba, who said security forces were able to reach the sleeper cell's leader after interrogating the second attacker. He said the church bomber was not Syrian but did not give details. Al-Baba said cell leader Mohammad Abdelillah al-Jumaili was an 'IS leader' responsible for recruiting extremists from the sprawling Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria to conduct attacks. Tens of thousands of IS militants and their families from around the world live in Al-Hol, held by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The SDF condemned the attack on Sunday. Meanwhile, funerals were held for the victims of the church bombing at the Church of the Holy Cross in Damascus. Church bells rang and women ululated as men walked through the weeping crowds carrying white coffins. The crowds cheered as the clergy honored the victims as martyrs. Dima Beshara, 40, who lost her cousin Emil, 38, and seven other family members in the attack said Syria has always enjoyed religious coexistence and that she was among many from all sects who celebrated the downfall of ousted leader Bashar Assad in December. 'What did they do wrong? They went to the house of God to pray?' Beshara said at the graveyard. 'Am I supposed to be scared every time I want to go and pray?' She fears for her life and those of her loved ones, who regularly attend church for prayers, weddings and funerals. 'We love everyone. We don't have a problem with anyone. But we hope that they love us in return,' she said. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Syria says the Islamic State group was behind the deadly attack on a Damascus church
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The sleeper cell behind a deadly church bombing near Damascus belonged to the Islamic State group, which had plans to target a Shiite shrine in a similar attack, Syria 's Interior Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday. Sunday's attack on the Mar Elias church killed at least 25 people. The attack was the first of its kind in Syria in years, and comes as Damascus under de facto Islamist rule is trying to win the support of the country's minorities. Noureddine Al-Baba told journalists a second attacker was caught Monday on his way to target a Shiite shrine in the Sayyida Zeinab suburb in Damascus, where many sites of the Islamic sect are located. Al-Baba said security forces also thwarted a third operation, where an attacker on a motorbike was going to target a crowded gathering in the capital. He did not give further details. 'We raided IS hideouts, seizing weapons and explosive caches,' said Al-Baba, who said security forces were able to reach the sleeper cell's leader after interrogating the second attacker. He said the church bomber was not Syrian but did not give details. Al-Baba said cell leader Mohammad Abdelillah al-Jumaili was an 'IS leader' responsible for recruiting extremists from the sprawling Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria to conduct attacks. Tens of thousands of IS militants and their families from around the world live in Al-Hol, held by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The SDF condemned the attack on Sunday. Meanwhile, funerals were held for the victims of the church bombing at the Church of the Holy Cross in Damascus. Church bells rang and women ululated as men walked through the weeping crowds carrying white coffins. The crowds cheered as the clergy honored the victims as martyrs. Dima Beshara, 40, who lost her cousin Emil, 38, and seven other family members in the attack said Syria has always enjoyed religious coexistence and that she was among many from all sects who celebrated the downfall of ousted leader Bashar Assad in December. 'What did they do wrong? They went to the house of God to pray?' Beshara said at the graveyard. 'Am I supposed to be scared every time I want to go and pray?' She fears for her life and those of her loved ones, who regularly attend church for prayers, weddings and funerals. 'We love everyone. We don't have a problem with anyone. But we hope that they love us in return,' she said. ___ Chehayeb reported from Beirut.
