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Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Israel and Syria agree ceasefire as Israel allows Syrian troops limited access to Sweida
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Sweida province has been engulfed by nearly a week of violence triggered by clashes between Bedouin fighters and factions from the Druze. BEIRUT/JERUSALEM - Israel and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire, the US envoy to Turkey said on July 18, after days of bloodshed in the predominantly Druze area that has killed over 300 people. On July 16, Israel launched airstrikes in Damascus and hit government forces in the south, demanding they withdraw and saying that Israel aimed to protect Syrian Druze - part of a small but influential minority that also has members in Lebanon and Israel. 'We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity,' Mr Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey, said in a post on X. Mr Barrack said that Israel and Syria agreed to the ceasefire supported by Turkey, Jordan and neighbours. The Israeli embassy in Washington and Syrian consulate in Canada did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Syria's Sweida province has been engulfed by nearly a week of violence triggered by clashes between Bedouin fighters and Druze factions. Earlier on July 18, an Israeli official said Israel agreed to allow Syrian forces limited access to the Sweida area of southern Syria for the next two days. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore Singapore 'I thought it was an April Fool's joke': Teen addicted to Kpods on news that friend died World Trump administration moves to release Epstein case transcripts amid public scrutiny Asia 'Guardian angels': Taiwan's dementia-friendly village promotes ageing in place Opinion A modern interpretation of Islam in Indonesia fuels a push for 'global Muslims' Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam Singapore What is UNC3886, the group that attacked Singapore's critical information infrastructure? Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student accused of using AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data The Syrian presidency said late on July 18 that authorities would deploy a force in the south dedicated to ending the clashes, in coordination with political and security measures to restore stability and prevent the return of violence. Damascus earlier this week dispatched government troops to quell the fighting, but they were accused of carrying out widespread violations against the Druze and were hit by Israeli strikes before withdrawing under a truce agreed on July 16. Israel had repeatedly said it would not allow Syrian troops to deploy to the country's south, but on July 18 it said it would grant them a brief window to end renewed clashes there. 'In light of the ongoing instability in southwest Syria, Israel has agreed to allow limited entry of the (Syrian) internal security forces into Sweida district for the next 48 hours,' the official, who declined to be named, told reporters. Describing Syria's new rulers as barely disguised jihadists, Israel has vowed to shield the area's Druze community from attack, encouraged by calls from Israel's own Druze minority. It carried out more strikes on Sweida in the early hours of July 18. The US intervened to help secure the earlier truce between government forces and Druze fighters, and the White House said on July 17 that it appeared to be holding. Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has worked to establish warmer ties with the US, accused Israel of trying to fracture Syria and promised to protect its Druze minority. Reuters reporters saw a convoy of units from Syria's interior ministry stopped on a road in Daraa province, which lies directly east of Sweida. A security source told Reuters that forces were awaiting a final green light to enter Sweida. But thousands of Bedouin fighters were still streaming into Sweida on Friday, the Reuters reporters said, prompting fears among residents that violence would continue unabated. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said it had documented 321 deaths in fighting since Sunday, among them medical personnel, women and children. It said they included field executions by all sides. Syria's minister for emergencies said more than 500 wounded had been treated and hundreds of families had been evacuated out of the city. 'Nothing at all' Clashes continued in the north and west of Sweida province, according to residents and Ryan Marouf, the head of local news outlet Sweida24. Residents said they had little food and water, and that electricity had been cut to the city for several days. 'For four days, there has been no electricity, no fuel, no food, no drink, nothing at all,' said Mudar, a 28-year-old resident of Sweida who asked to be identified only by his first name out of fear of reprisals. 'The clashes haven't stopped,' he said, adding that 'we can't get news easily because there's barely internet or phone coverage.' The head of the UN human rights office urged Syria's interim authorities to ensure accountability for what it said are credible reports of widespread rights violations during the fighting, including summary executions and kidnappings, the office said in a statement. At least 13 people were unlawfully killed in one recorded incident on July 15 when affiliates of the interim authorities opened fire at a family gathering, the OHCHR said. Six men were summarily executed near their homes the same day. The UN refugee agency on Friday urged all sides to allow humanitarian access, which it said had been curtailed by the violence. Israel's deep distrust of Syria's new Islamist-led leadership appears to be at odds with the United States, which said it did not support the recent Israeli strikes on Syria. REUTERS
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Trump says he thinks 5 jets were shot down in India-Pakistan hostilities
FILE PHOTO: Indian security force personnel stand guard near the site of a fighter jet crash in Wuyan in India-administered Kashmir's Pulwama district May 7, 2025. REUTERS/Sharafat Ali/File Photo WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday up to five jets were shot down during recent India-Pakistan hostilities that began after an April Islamist militant attack in India-administered Kashmir, with the situation calming after a ceasefire in May. Trump, who made his remarks at a dinner with some Republican U.S. lawmakers at the White House, did not specify which side's jets he was referring to. "In fact, planes were being shot out of the air. Five, five, four or five, but I think five jets were shot down actually," Trump said while talking about the India-Pakistan hostilities, without elaborating or providing further detail. Pakistan claimed it downed five Indian planes in air-to-air combat. India's highest-ranking general said in late May that India switched tactics after suffering losses in the air on the first day of hostilities and established an advantage before a ceasefire was announced three days later. India also claimed it downed "a few planes" of Pakistan. Islamabad denied suffering any losses of planes but acknowledged its air bases suffered hits. Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan that he announced on social media on May 10 after Washington held talks with both sides. India has differed with Trump's claims that it resulted from his intervention and his threats to sever trade talks. India's position has been that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve their problems directly and with no outside involvement. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore Singapore 'I thought it was an April Fool's joke': Teen addicted to Kpods on news that friend died World Trump administration moves to release Epstein case transcripts amid public scrutiny Asia 'Guardian angels': Taiwan's dementia-friendly village promotes ageing in place Opinion A modern interpretation of Islam in Indonesia fuels a push for 'global Muslims' Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam Singapore What is UNC3886, the group that attacked Singapore's critical information infrastructure? Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student accused of using AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data India is an increasingly important U.S. partner in Washington's effort to counter China's influence in Asia, while Pakistan is a U.S. ally. The April attack in India-administered Kashmir killed 26 men and sparked heavy fighting between the nuclear-armed Asian neighbors in the latest escalation of a decades-old rivalry. New Delhi blamed the attack on Pakistan, which denied responsibility while calling for a neutral investigation. Washington condemned the attack but did not directly blame Islamabad. On May 7, Indian jets bombed sites across the border that New Delhi described as "terrorist infrastructure," setting off an exchange of attacks between the two countries by fighter jets, missiles, drones, and artillery that killed dozens until the ceasefire was reached. REUTERS
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Lowry accepted 2-shot British Open penalty over fear of ‘cheat' backlash
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland - Shane Lowry said he feared a social media backlash if he did not accept a two-stroke penalty at the British Open on July 18. The Irishman was handed the sanction after he finished his second round, which left him at level par for the tournament, for his ball apparently moving as he made a practice swing on the 12th hole. Rules officials relied on television evidence from one angle that zoomed in on the ball, even if Lowry could not see it with the naked eye. 'I was in there with the rules official and wasn't arguing my case, but I'm disappointed that they don't have more camera angles on it,' said Lowry, who is back at the scene of his sole major win at Royal Portrush back in 2019. 'The one zoomed in slow motion – they're trying to tell me if it doesn't move from the naked eye, if you don't see it moving, it didn't move. I told them I definitely was looking down towards the ball as I was taking that practice swing, and I didn't see it move. 'I'm still not sure, to be honest, whether it was or not, but I had to take the penalty because I can't have my name talked about or tossed around like that, and I just get on with it.' The footage had been highlighted on social media before Lowry was handed the penalty. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore Singapore 'I thought it was an April Fool's joke': Teen addicted to Kpods on news that friend died Opinion A modern interpretation of Islam in Indonesia fuels a push for 'global Muslims' Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam Singapore What is UNC3886, the group that attacked Singapore's critical information infrastructure? Asia Indonesia court jails former trade minister for 4½ years in sugar graft case Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student accused of using AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore 7-year-old girl, cabby taken to hospital after vehicle pile-up in City Hall area 'If the ball moved and I caused it to move and it moved, it's a two-shot penalty,' added the world number 18. 'The last thing I want to do is sit there and argue and not take the penalty and then get slaughtered all over social media tonight for being a cheat.' Lowry was playing alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler, who shot to the top of the leaderboard with a brilliant 64 to sit at 10 under par after the opening two days. Scheffler hailed Lowry's reaction after the American was also left unconvinced by the television replay. 'Ultimately in golf it's up to the player, and I felt like Shane was put in a pretty tough situation there when they were zooming in on his golf ball. In the rough it's hard to tell,' said the three-time major champion. 'It was a very tough spot for Shane to be put in. He handled it really well. It's obviously very frustrating. It's frustrating for me as a competitor of his and a player to watch him after kind of deal with that because the last thing you want to be known in the game of golf is somebody who cheats. 'I'm not going to state a strong opinion here in the media on whether or not I thought he deserved the penalty, but all I'm going to say is it was a very tough situation for him to be put in, and I thought he handled it really well.' AFP
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Majestic Scheffler leads British Open, McIlroy hangs on
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Golf - The 153rd Open Championship - Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland, Britain - July 18, 2025 Brian Harman of the U.S. on the 5th green during the second round REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland - World number one Scottie Scheffler conjured up a brilliant 64 to lead the British Open after an enthralling second round as home favourite Rory McIlroy's roller-coaster ride continued at Royal Portrush on Friday. American Scheffler finished on 10 under par, one clear ofMatt Fitzpatrick who carded 66 to boost his hopes of becoming the first Englishman to lift the Claret Jug since Nick Faldo in 1992. American Brian Harman, the 2023 Open champion who made a big move with a flawless 65, and China's Li Haotong were a further shot back. Scheffler, a three-times major champion seeking his first British Open title, racked up four birdies on the front nine and four more after the turn, a bogey at the 11th hole the only blemish in a sublime display of shot-making. "I felt like I hit a few more fairways than I did yesterday, hit some really nice iron shots, and was able to hole some putts," Scheffler said. "We only had maybe four or five holes where it was really coming down (raining), and I was able to take advantage of the holes where we had some good weather." Fitzpatrick made four birdies going out and an inspired run of four more in a row lifted him two shots clear of the field. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam Singapore What is UNC3886, the group that attacked Singapore's critical information infrastructure? Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Asia Indonesia court jails former trade minister for 4½ years in sugar graft case Singapore Singapore police in contact with Indonesian authorities over baby trafficking allegations Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student accused of using AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore 7-year-old girl, cabby taken to hospital after vehicle pile-up in City Hall area Singapore Former NUH male nurse charged after he allegedly molested man at hospital A bogey on 14 dropped him back, however, and the 2022 U.S. Open champion missed a three-foot birdie putt on 17 before holing a nerveless 23-footer for par at the last. "Giving myself an opportunity to win the golf tournament, but there's still a hell of a long way to go," he said. "The aim of the game is to stay in it for as long as possible and hopefully you can pull away right at the death." Li picked up five birdies in his first 12 holes, but the world number 111 bogeyed the 14th hole, his first dropped shot of the tournament. Li, who finished third in the 2017 Open after shooting a closing 63, safely parred the last four holes to complete a second successive 67. "Very pleased, I didn't expect this," he said. "Actually, the last few holes being quite easy I got lucky." Harman lifted the Claret Jug at a soggy Royal Liverpool two years ago but arrived on the Northern Ireland coast under the radar after enjoying little success since his first major triumph. The world number 26 birdied the first two holes, however, and picked up four more shots, sinking an eight-foot putt at the last. "I love the golf over here," Harman said. "It suits me. Distance, of course, matters over here, but it doesn't matter as much as maybe some other tournaments because the ground is so firm that the ball rolls." MCILROY ROLLER-COASTER Northern Ireland's McIlroy scrambled to an opening 70 and it was a similar story early in his second round as he mixed mistakes with brilliance. The 36-year-old, bidding to win his second Open 11 years after his first, had the crowds roaring with a birdie on the first and did brilliantly to salvage a par at the second after slicing his drive into deep rough and taking a penalty drop. He wasted several opportunities with careless putts before birdies at the 12th and 14th completed a round of 69 to finish at three under par. "I didn't have this opportunity six years ago, so to play an extra two days in this atmosphere in front of these crowds, I'm very excited for that," McIlroy said, referring to the 2019 Open at Portrush when he missed the cut. "I feel like my game's definitely good enough to make a run. I'm excited for the weekend." Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard ended on five under alongside Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, England's Tyrrell Hatton and Americans Harris English and Chris Gotterup. The weather fluctuated all day, with bright conditions and light winds greeting the early starters before a few heavy rain showers. Joint overnight leader Jacob Skov Olesen began his second round in horrible fashion with a quadruple bogey eight after driving out of bounds twice off the tee. In one hole, the Dane dropped to 36th place but he battled to a 76 to make the cut. Among the big names failing to make the weekend were former Open champions Collin Morikawa, Darren Clarke, Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink, Louis Oosthuizen, Padraig Harrington and Cameron Smith. REUTERS
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
‘Mass grave': Medics appeal for aid at last working hospital in Syria's Sweida
Find out what's new on ST website and app. A health worker and other men walk amid the bodies of victims laid out for identification in a hospital yard in Sweida on July 17. SWEIDA - In the last barely-functional hospital in Sweida, bodies are overflowing from the morgue, staff said, amid violence that has wracked the Druze-majority southern Syrian city for nearly a week. 'It's not a hospital anymore, it's a mass grave,' said Ms Rouba, a member of the medical staff at the city's sole government hospital, weeping as she appealed for aid. Dr Omar Obeid, who heads the Sweida division at Syria's Order of Physicians, said the facility has received 'more than 400 bodies since Monday morning', including women, children and the elderly. 'There's no more space in the morgue, the bodies are out on the street' in front of the hospital, he continued. Fighting erupted on the night of July 13 between Druze fighters and local Bedouin tribes before Syrian government forces intervened on Tuesday with the stated intention of quelling the violence. But in the subsequent events, those government forces were accused of grave abuses against the minority, according to rights organisations, witnesses and Druze groups. The government forces withdrew from the city on July 17 following threats from Israel, which has vowed to protect the Druze. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam Singapore What is UNC3886, the group that attacked Singapore's critical information infrastructure? Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Asia Indonesia court jails former trade minister for 4½ years in sugar graft case Singapore Singapore police in contact with Indonesian authorities over baby trafficking allegations Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student accused of using AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore 7-year-old girl, cabby taken to hospital after vehicle pile-up in City Hall area Singapore Former NUH male nurse charged after he allegedly molested man at hospital In the hospital on July 18, corridors were engulfed by the stench of the dead bodies, which had bloated beyond recognition, an AFP correspondent said. Visibly overwhelmed, the handful of medical personnel remaining at the facility nonetheless rushed to do their best to offer care to the seemingly endless stream of wounded, many of them waiting in the hallways. 'There are only nine doctors and medical staff left, and they are working nonstop,' said Ms Rouba, who preferred not to give her full name. 'No water, no electricity' 'The situation is very bad, we have no water and no electricity, medicines are starting to run out,' Ms Rouba continued. 'There are people who have been at home for three days and we can't manage to rescue them,' she said. 'The bodies are on the streets and no one can go out to get them. Yesterday, five big cars filled with bodies arrived at the hospital. 'There are women, children, people whose identities are unknown, cut-off arms or legs.' The United Nations on July 18 urged an end to the bloodshed, demanding 'independent, prompt and transparent investigations into all violations'. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the violence has claimed the lives of nearly 600 people since July 13. Dr Omar Obeid told AFP that three of his colleagues were killed, including one who was 'shot dead in his house, in front of his family'. Another was killed at point-blank range in her car as she drove through a security checkpoint, he said. The third, 'surgeon Talaat Amer was killed while he was at the hospital on July 15 in a blue surgical gown to perform his duty', Dr Obeid said. 'They shot him in the head. Then they called his wife and told her: your husband was wearing a surgical cap – it's red now.' AFP
