Latest news with #NajatRochdi
Rudaw Net
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Deadly violence in Suwayda draws UN, Kurdish reactions
Also in Syria At least 30 dead in Syria's Suwayda clashes Bedouin, Druze clashes kill 21, injure dozens in south Syria: War monitor Rojava administration reiterates call for 'decentralized' Syria, constitutional overhaul Rojava ruling party rejects Damascus 'integration' as bid to 'dismantle' institutions A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Deadly clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters in Syria's Druze-majority Suwayda province have left at least 99 people dead, prompting urgent calls for calm and accountability from the United Nations and Kurdish-led authorities in northeast Syria (Rojava). In a statement on X, the UN's Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Najat Rochdi, expressed 'deep concern over reports of violence and abductions' in Suwayda, 'which have resulted in significant casualties.' She called on the 'interim authorities [in Damascus] and local stakeholders to take immediate steps to protect civilians, restore calm, and prevent incitement,' stressing 'the urgent need for genuine inclusion, trust-building, and meaningful dialogue' to support Syria's political transition. Rising death toll The UN's remarks come as intense clashes raged on between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters in Syria's southern Suwayda province for the second day on Monday. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that at least 99 people have been killed, including 60 Druze locals, among them two women and two children, and 18 Bedouins. The casualties also include 14 Syrian defense ministry personnel and seven unidentified individuals in military attire, according to the UK-based war monitor. Amid the fighting, SOHR also reported sightings of an Israeli warplane over Suwayda, which dropped thermal balloons - typically used for surveillance or decoy purposes. Later, the Israeli military's Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee confirmed that Israeli forces had struck several tanks heading toward Suwayda to "impede their arrival' to the Druze-majority province. 'The presence of such assets in southern Syria could pose a threat to the State of Israel,' Adraee stated, adding that Israel 'will not allow a military threat to exist in southern Syria.' Israel has in recent months reiterated its commitment to protecting the Druze community in Syria, with whom it says it shares 'strong ties.' Moreover, it has repeatedly acted to prevent the establishment of any significant military presence in southern Syria near its border, citing security concerns. Meanwhile, the Syrian defense ministry expressed dismay over the "unfortunate clashes" in Suwayda, attributing the violence to a "direct result of the institutional and administrative vacuum" plaguing the region. In a statement relayed by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted the ministry spokesperson Hassan Abdul Ghani as confirming the deployment of reinforcements to Suwayda, who were reportedly attacked by "outlaw armed groups," resulting in the deaths of 18 officers. He vowed the defense ministry's resolve to "end these futile clashes and pursue the outlaw groups," assuring Suwayda's residents that their "safety, dignity, and livelihoods' would be preserved. SANA also quoted the Syrian interior ministry as noting the deployment of its security forces and military units to Suwayda as well and underscoring its role in "maintaining security and protecting civilians without bias.' The ministry urged all sides to exercise "national responsibility' and stressed that disputes "must be resolved through state institutions and the judiciary.' Underlying tensions Suwayda24, a local outlet focused on southern Syria's Druze-majority Suwayda province, on Sunday cited local security officials as linking the violence to 'a recent robbery on the Damascus-Suwayda road, which targeted a businessman,' sparking a series of retaliatory kidnappings between the two communities. Later in the day, SANA reported that internal security forces from neighboring Daraa province had launched an 'organized security deployment along the administrative borders' with Suwayda, with aims of 'preventing the violence from spreading and to contain any fallout that could impact stability, especially in eastern rural Daraa.' Suwayda Governor Mustapha al-Bakkour on the same day appealed for calm, urging all sides to 'exercise self-restraint and respond to national calls for reform.' Several Druze spiritual leaders echoed his call, demanding de-escalation and intervention from Damascus to restore order. The current hostilities mark the most significant outbreak of deadly violence in Suwayda since earlier this year, when clashes between Druze groups and Damascus-affiliated security forces resulted in dozens of casualties. While local leaders are reportedly attempting to mediate the current situation, no official intervention has yet been announced. Kurdish reactions The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeast Syria (Rojava) on Monday condemned 'the ongoing attacks and aggressions targeting the villages and towns' of Suwayda, 'which have led to the tragic loss of many lives and the burning and looting of numerous civilian homes and farms. 'The repeated attacks on our people in Suwayda, along with the continued harassment they face in their daily lives and freedom of movement, are deeply concerning,' the SDF said. The US-backed SDF serves as the de facto army in Rojava. The SDF's political arm, the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), expressed "deep concern" over the rapidly unfolding events in Suwayda, warning they "pose a serious threat to civil peace and the fabric of national unity." The SDC linked the escalation to the "ongoing absence of a just and comprehensive political solution" for Syria. The Council further condemned 'the involvement of some elements from the Syrian regime's security apparatus' and their role 'in fueling the internal conflict." It also cautioned against "sectarian rhetoric and hate speech."
Kuwait Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Syria fights fires for fourth day as Jordan sends help
100 square km of forest 'turned to ash' in wildfires DAMASCUS: Syrian authorities said some 100 square kilometers (40 square miles) of forest had 'turned to ash' in wildfires as firefighters from neighboring Jordan arrived Sunday to battle a fourth day of blazes in the province of Latakia. Syrian emergency workers have faced tough conditions including high temperatures, strong winds, rugged mountainous terrain in the coastal province and the danger of explosive war remnants, in a country scarred by years of conflict. Jordanian civil defense teams crossed into Syria on Sunday morning, the Syrian ministry for emergency and disaster management said, as state media published footage of the convoy. Minister Raed Al-Saleh said on X that 'hundreds of thousands of forest trees over an estimated area of around 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) in 28 locations have turned to ash'. He said some 80 teams including civil defense personnel had been battling the blaze, noting local organizations and residents were also providing assistance, along with teams and firefighting aircraft from neighboring Jordan and Turkey. Turkey, a key backer of Syria's new authorities, sent assistance including aircraft and fire engines on Saturday. Jordan's public security directorate said in a statement that the 'specialized firefighting teams from the civil defense... have been provided with all the modern equipment and machinery necessary to carry out their duties to the fullest extent'. Swathes of forested area and farmland have burned and some villages evacuated as the fires raged including near the Turkish border. The United Nations deputy envoy to Syria Najat Rochdi said in a statement Sunday on X that Damascus 'needs more international assistance' to face the fires. A statement from the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula said that 'UN teams are on the ground conducting urgent assessments to determine the scale of the disaster and to identify the most immediate humanitarian needs'. Nearly seven months after the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar Al-Assad, Syria is still reeling from more than a decade of civil war that ravaged the country's economy, infrastructure and public services. With man-made climate change increasing the likelihood and intensity of droughts and wildfires worldwide, Syria has also been battered by heatwaves and low rainfall. In June, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization told AFP that Syria had 'not seen such bad climate conditions in 60 years'. — AFP
Iraqi News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Syria fights fires for fourth day as Jordan sends help
Damascus – Syrian authorities said some 100 square kilometres (40 square miles) of forest had 'turned to ash' in wildfires as firefighters from neighbouring Jordan arrived Sunday to battle a fourth day of blazes in the province of Latakia. Syrian emergency workers have faced tough conditions including high temperatures, strong winds, rugged mountainous terrain in the coastal province and the danger of explosive war remnants, in a country scarred by years of conflict. Jordanian civil defence teams crossed into Syria on Sunday morning, the Syrian ministry for emergency and disaster management said, as state media published footage of the convoy. Minister Raed al-Saleh said on X that 'hundreds of thousands of forest trees over an estimated area of around 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) in 28 locations have turned to ash'. He said some 80 teams including civil defence personnel had been battling the blaze, noting local organisations and residents were also providing assistance, along with teams and firefighting aircraft from neighbouring Jordan and Turkey. Turkey, a key backer of Syria's new authorities, sent assistance including aircraft and fire engines on Saturday. Jordan's public security directorate said in a statement that the 'specialised firefighting teams from the civil defence… have been provided with all the modern equipment and machinery necessary to carry out their duties to the fullest extent'. Swathes of forested area and farmland have burned and some villages evacuated as the fires raged including near the Turkish border. The United Nations deputy envoy to Syria Najat Rochdi said in a statement Sunday on X that Damascus 'needs more international assistance' to face the fires. A statement from the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula said that 'UN teams are on the ground conducting urgent assessments to determine the scale of the disaster and to identify the most immediate humanitarian needs'. Nearly seven months after the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, Syria is still reeling from more than a decade of civil war that ravaged the country's economy, infrastructure and public services. With man-made climate change increasing the likelihood and intensity of droughts and wildfires worldwide, Syria has also been battered by heatwaves and low rainfall. In June, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation told AFP that Syria had 'not seen such bad climate conditions in 60 years'.
Middle East Eye
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Middle East Eye
Syria: Wildfires ravage Latakia province for fourth consecutive day
Wildfires continued to leave a trail of destruction in Syria's Latakia province on Sunday, as firefighters from neighbouring Jordan arrived to help battle a fourth day of devastating fires in the war-ravaged country. Aerial footage of seen by Middle East Eye showed vast swathes of forest and agricultural land engulfed in flames. Meanwhile, videos uploaded on social media captured huge plumes of smoke billowing into the sky as Syrians rushed to get to safety. Syrian authorities said at least 10,000 hectares of forest and farmland had been destroyed, with hundreds of families forced to flee their homes. "Hundreds of thousands of forest trees over an estimated area of around 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) in 28 locations have turned to ash," Raed al-Saleh, Syria's Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, said in a statement. Speaking at a press conference later on Sunday, he referred to the situation as "a real environmental disaster." New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Emergency workers reported that they were struggling to contain the fires, citing difficult terrain and the risk of unexploded ordnances - a lethal legacy of Syria's recently ended civil war - as major obstacles. Massive wildfires have ravaged Syria's coastal #Latakia province since early July. As part of the ongoing response by firefighting teams from the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, the ministry has deployed more than 160 fire engines and 12 heavy machinery units from… — The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) July 6, 2025 The relentless fires, which have been centred around the mountainous district of Qastal Maaf, have been fuelled by soaring temperatures and fierce winds. In June, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation told AFP that Syria had "not seen such bad climate conditions in 60 years." In a statement posted on X, Najat Rochdi, the United Nations deputy envoy to Syria, pleaded with the international community for help, saying Damascus "needs more international assistance" to face the fires. Meanwhile, Jordan's public security directorate said it had dispatched "specialised firefighting teams from the civil defence... [that] have been provided with all the modern equipment and machinery necessary to carry out their duties to the fullest extent." The Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, warned that "smoke emissions are reaching the northern part of the coastal mountains, the city of Hama and its countryside, and areas south of Idlib." Wildfires are a common summer threat across the eastern Mediterranean, but experts warn they are becoming more intense and frequent due to climate change. Neighbouring Turkey has been battling wildfires since 26 June, which authorities said were caused by faulty power lines. At least three people are known to have died in Turkey, whilst tens of thousands have been evacuated.
Observer
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Observer
Syria fights fires for fourth day
DAMASCUS: Syrian authorities said some 100 square kilometres of forest had "turned to ash" in wildfires as firefighters from neighbouring Jordan arrived on Sunday to battle a fourth day of blazes in the province of Latakia. Syrian emergency workers have faced tough conditions including high temperatures, strong winds, rugged mountainous terrain in the coastal province and the danger of explosive war remnants, in a country scarred by years of conflict. Jordanian civil defence teams crossed into Syria on Sunday morning, the Syrian ministry for emergency and disaster management said, as state media published footage of the convoy. Minister Raed al Saleh said on X that "hundreds of thousands of forest trees over an estimated area of around 10,000 hectares in 28 locations have turned to ash". The United Nations deputy envoy to Syria Najat Rochdi said in a statement on Sunday on X that Damascus "needs more international assistance" to face the fires. A statement from the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula said that "UN teams are on the ground conducting urgent assessments to determine the scale of the disaster and to identify the most immediate humanitarian needs". — AFP
