Latest news with #NoureddineAl-Baba
L'Orient-Le Jour
20-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
The government announces the end of fighting in Sweida
The Syrian government announced the end of fighting in Sweida on Sunday, after the city was retaken by Druze groups, one week after the outbreak of deadly intercommunal clashes in this southern city. Violence between Druze and Sunni Bedouin groups, which erupted on July 13 in the Sweida region, has left 940 dead, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based organization that relies on a vast network of sources across the country. 'Sweida has been cleared of all tribal fighters, and fighting in the city's neighborhoods has ceased,' wrote Syrian Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddine Al-Baba on Telegram. Nearly 87,000 people have been displaced by the fighting, according to the International Organization for Migration. On Saturday, the Syrian government announced a cease-fire in Sweida province and began redeploying forces there in an effort to restore peace. The government of interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa had already deployed troops to Sweida on Tuesday but withdrew them after Israeli airstrikes targeted several regime positions in Damascus. Israel stated its intent to protect the Druze community and cited the presence of Syrian government forces near its border as a security threat. A cease-fire was later brokered between Syria and Israel under U.S. auspices. Earlier on Saturday, in one of the city's neighborhoods, tribal fighters — some with masked faces — were seen firing automatic weapons, according to AFP footage. 'Preventing ISIS' from entering the region One fighter had a black headband inscribed with the Islamic declaration of faith. Another was seen brandishing scissors, used to cut the mustaches of elderly Druze men — a gesture considered a grave insult to this proud warrior community. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Syrian authorities to 'hold accountable and prosecute anyone guilty of atrocities, including within their own ranks.' He also urged them to use 'their security forces to prevent the Islamic State and other violent jihadists from entering the region and committing massacres,' as he posted on the social network X. The Islamic State group had seized vast territories in Syria and Iraq at the start of the civil war, which began in 2011, and declared a cross-border 'caliphate' in 2014. U.S.-backed Kurdish forces defeated them in 2019, but jihadist cells remain active, particularly in the vast Syrian desert. Homes set ablaze On Saturday, an AFP correspondent witnessed dozens of homes and vehicles set on fire, and armed men torching shops after looting them. 'Tribal fighters withdrew from Sweida on Saturday evening' following a Druze counteroffensive, but continued to shell the city, SOHR reported on Saturday. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who came to power after overthrowing President Bashar al-Assad in December, reiterated his commitment to protecting minorities and praised the 'important role played by the United States, which confirmed its support for Syria.' His Interior Ministry simultaneously announced 'the start of security force deployments in the province of Sweida […] aimed at protecting civilians and ending the chaos.' France has called on 'all parties' to strictly adhere to the cease-fire announced by Damascus and to 'refrain from any unilateral actions.' Israel, which claims to be defending the Druze — an esoteric minority sect rooted in Islam — had previously opposed the presence of Syrian government forces in the area. These latest intercommunal clashes further undermine the fragile authority of Sharaa in a country ravaged by nearly 14 years of civil war. In April, clashes between Druze fighters and security forces near Damascus and Sweida left more than 100 dead. In March, massacres left over 1,700 dead, mostly from the Alawite community — the sect from which Assad hails — following violence in western Syria, according to SOHR. The Druze community, primarily based in Sweida, numbered around 700,000 people in Syria before the civil war. The community also has significant populations in Lebanon and Israel.
Egypt Independent
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Ceasefire in southern Syria appears to be holding as US demands Damascus end violence
CNN — The Syrian government says The Syrian government says clashes in the southern city of Suwayda have stopped after a week of violence left hundreds of people dead, drawing Israeli intervention and US condemnation. A ceasefire agreement reached by the government, Druze groups and Bedouin tribes on Saturday appeared to be holding Sunday, but communications with the province remain difficult. There were no reports of gunfire in the city of Suwayda Sunday. 'After intensive efforts by the Ministry of Interior to implement the ceasefire agreement and the deployment of its forces in the northern and western regions of Suwayda Governorate, the city of Suwayda was evacuated of all tribal fighters, and clashes within the city's neighborhoods were halted,' Interior Ministry spokesperson Noureddine Al-Baba said, according to the Syrian state news agency. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Saturday called on the Syrian government to use its security forces to prevent 'violent jihadists' from entering Suwayda and 'carrying out massacres.' In a post on X, Rubio said: 'The US has remained heavily involved over the last three days with Israel, Jordan and authorities in Damascus on the horrifying & dangerous developments in southern Syria. The rape and slaughter of innocent people which has and is still occurring must end.' Bedouin tribal fighters were involved in clashes with Druze groups on the western edges of the city on Saturday. One of the Druze factions – Spiritual Leadership – said it was 'deeply regrettable and shameful that the other party has failed to uphold the ceasefire,' and appealed to the international community to halt what it called 'this terrorist onslaught.'
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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.
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.
Winnipeg Free Press
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
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. Sundays Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba. '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.
