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ABC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Why Israel is conducting strikes in Syria as sectarian violence rages
Just over six months since the downfall of Syria's long-time leader, Bashar al-Assad, the country's fragile post-war order is on the brink. The country is deeply divided as it tries to emerge from decades of dictatorship and nearly 14 years of civil war. In recent days, Israel has carried out strikes within Syria amid clashes between various factions. The strikes came in response to clashes between a religious minority sect, the Druze, another group known as the Bedouin tribes, and Syrian government forces. Dozens of people have so far been killed. Here's what you need to know about the conflict and what it means for the survival of Syria's new government. Syria is currently led by a transitional government, established after the Assad family's decades-long rule over the country collapsed in December last year. Before then, the country had been torn apart by 14 years of civil war between forces loyal to president Bashar al-Assad and those who wanted to oust him. But under the Assad family's tight rule, religious freedom was guaranteed as the country then boasted about its secular and Arab nationalist system. However, the new transitional government is more Islamist in nature, with President Ahmad al-Sharaa himself a former member of Al Qaeda. Among the groups now navigating a vastly changed landscape in Syria is the Druze religious sect. The Druze began as a 10th-century offshoot of Ismailism, a branch of Shiite Islam, and more than half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. 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 transitional government has promised protections and to include the Druze in decision-making, but so far, only one of the 23 members of the government is Druze. The Druze have been divided over how to deal with their issues with the new status quo in the country. Many Druze support a dialogue with the government, while others want a more confrontational approach. The latest violence began when members of another group, the Bedouin tribe in Sweida province, set up a checkpoint and then attacked and robbed a Druze man. This led to tit-for-tat attacks and kidnappings between the two sides. Government security forces deployed to the area to restore order, but were seen as taking the side of the Bedouin tribes against Druze factions. The clashes raise fears of another spiral of sectarian violence that has flared already since the ejection of Assad. In March, sectarian and revenge attacks between Assad loyalists and government security forces killed hundreds of civilians. There have also been rising tensions between authorities in Damascus and Kurdish-led authorities controlling the country's north-east. The most recent clashes between the Druze and Bedouin have captured the attention of neighbouring Israel. Israel does not want Islamic militants near the country's northern border. Since Assad's fall, Israeli forces have seized control of a United Nations-patrolled buffer zone in Syria near the border with the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and have carried out hundreds of air strikes on military sites. Israel has periodically intervened in support of the Druze, who are seen within Israel as a loyal minority. The Israel Defense Forces on Monday announced it had struck military tanks in southern Syria on Monday to help the Druze. That was followed by further Israeli strikes on Syrian government forces on Tuesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the strikes hit "regime forces" and weaponry brought to Sweida to be used against the Druze. "Israel is committed to preventing harm to the Druze in Syria due to the deep brotherhood alliance with our Druze citizens in Israel," the pair said in a statement. "We are acting to prevent the Syrian regime from harming them and to ensure the demilitarisation of the area adjacent to our border with Syria." Syrian Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra says a ceasefire between the government, the Bedouin and the Druze remains in place. The Druze spiritual leadership said in a written statement on Tuesday morning that it would allow Syrian forces to enter Sweida city to stop the bloodshed, calling on armed groups to surrender their weapons and cooperate with incoming troops. But hours later, influential Druze Sheikh Hikmat al-Hajri, a vocal opponent of the new Syrian leadership, said the statement had been "imposed" on them by Damascus and that Syrian troops had breached the arrangement by continuing to fire on residents. Dozens of people have been killed in fighting in the region since Sunday. ABC/AP
Arab News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Syria at a crossroads
Syria today stands on the cusp of a transformative chapter in its modern history. More than seven months after the ousting of Bashar Assad, the country has sworn in a new transitional government led by President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, marking a significant departure from decades of autocratic rule. The new leadership has promised inclusivity and reform, appointing a diverse Cabinet that, for the first time, includes women and representatives of minority groups. One such appointment, Hind Kabawat as minister of social affairs, signals a break from past patterns of exclusion. The regional response has been swift and, in many ways, optimistic. Arab capitals, once divided over how to deal with Damascus, are now reengaging with renewed purpose. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have announced debt relief and economic assistance packages. Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan have exchanged high-level visits, while Qatar has signaled conditional openness pending progress on political inclusivity and refugee return. Meanwhile, the UK has reestablished full diplomatic ties with Damascus and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in May met his Syrian counterpart in Antalya, Turkiye. These moves reflect a broader recalibration in regional politics. Rather than isolating Syria indefinitely, Arab states are now betting that constructive engagement may offer a more effective route to stability. But this raises a crucial question: Will normalization catalyze real reform or simply entrench the status quo under a new name? There are reasons for cautious optimism. The new Syrian government, backed by a coalition of opposition groups and civil society figures, has laid out a transitional roadmap that includes constitutional reform, the decentralization of power and the phased return of refugees in cooperation with UN agencies. Local reconciliation efforts are underway in formerly besieged areas like Deraa and Eastern Ghouta, while independent media outlets have cautiously resumed operations under a new press law passed in March. Internationally, Syria's foreign policy posture is also shifting. Damascus has signaled openness to rejoining global institutions and has expressed an interest in negotiating a framework for peace with Israel — though talks remain in their infancy. Meanwhile, the Syrian Democratic Forces have agreed to a partial integration with the Syrian army under a unified military command, part of a broader security sector reform process that is seen as key to long-term stability. Despite these steps, deep skepticism remains. Critics argue that without meaningful accountability for past atrocities, normalization could whitewash systemic abuses and undermine the pursuit of justice. Families of detainees and victims of war crimes have voiced concerns that the Arab League's embrace of Damascus may have come too soon — before meaningful progress on human rights is achieved. Arab states are betting that constructive engagement may offer a more effective route to stability. Hani Hazaimeh Moreover, the country's economic recovery remains fragile. Syria's infrastructure is shattered, unemployment is high and inflation has driven much of the population into poverty. Billions of dollars in reconstruction aid are needed, but many Western governments are conditioning support on further political liberalization and the protection of civil liberties. There is also concern that regional powers may prioritize stability over reform — engaging with Damascus to curb foreign influence or to stem refugee flows, while turning a blind eye to domestic stagnation. The challenge, therefore, is to ensure that normalization is not an end in itself, but a lever to drive real change. The future of Syria is not just a Syrian question — it is a regional imperative. A stable, sovereign and inclusive Syria could help contain cross-border militancy, revitalize trade corridors and restore a degree of political coherence to the Levant. But if normalization merely restores a rebranded autocracy, it risks perpetuating the conditions that led to Syria's implosion in the first place. Arab states now face a delicate balancing act: how to engage constructively with Damascus while insisting on measurable progress toward political transition, the rule of law and reconciliation. The international community, for its part, must continue to support Syrian civil society, empower local governance and advocate for the rights of refugees and displaced persons. Syria's return to the Arab fold presents both an opportunity and a test. If managed responsibly, normalization could offer a lifeline to a country ravaged by war, helping it rebuild institutions and reclaim its place in the region. But if approached with complacency or driven by narrow geopolitical interests, it risks legitimizing stagnation and silencing the voices of those who demand dignity, justice and freedom. Syria is at a crossroads. What happens next will determine whether it finally steps onto the path of national healing or remains trapped in a cycle of broken promises.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Assimi Goïta: Mali military leader granted five-year term in power
Mali's military leader Gen Assimi Goïta has been granted a five-year presidential term by the transitional parliament, which is renewable without junta leader, who has seized power twice, had promised the return of democracy last year, but it never materialised. The bill granting his new mandate said the transition would last "as many times as necessary" and until Mali was "pacified".It clears Gen Goïta to lead the West African country until at least 2030, with many fearing the move could lead to the repression of the opposition or dissenting opinions. The 41-year-old military leader was named transitional president after his last coup in the time he promised to hold elections the following year - but has since reneged, in a blow to efforts to restore multi-party transitional bill was on Thursday unanimously approved by 131 members of the National Transitional Council, which is composed of 147 legislators. The council had already adopted the measure in president of the legislative body, Malick Diaw, called the development "a major step forward in the rebuilding of Mali". "The adoption of this text is in accordance with the popular will," he bill allows the transitional president, government and legislative members to stand in presidential and general military government has been trying to quell jihadist violence unleashed by groups linked with the Islamic State (IS) and taking power, the junta leader has formed an alliance with coup leaders in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, pivoting the region towards Russia after cutting ties with former colonial power Goïta has also withdrawn Mali from the regional grouping Ecowas over its demands to restore democratic rule. Burkina Faso and Niger have also left the first staged a coup in August 2020 overthrowing then-President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta after huge anti-government protests against his rule and his handling of the jihadist these attacks have continued and even intensified since he took Goïta handed power to an interim government that was to oversee the transition to elections within 18 had sought to lead that government, but Ecowas insisted on a civilian with the performance of the civilian transitional arrangement, he seized power again in May 2021. You may also be interested in: The region with more 'terror deaths' than rest of world combinedThree military-run states leave West African bloc - what will change?Why young Africans are celebrating military takeovers Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mali junta chief granted renewable presidential mandate
Mali's military authorities on Thursday granted the junta chief a five-year presidential mandate, renewable "as many times as necessary" and without election. The move clears the way for General Assimi Goita to lead the west African country until at least 2030, despite the military government's initial pledge to return to civilian rule in March 2024. The bill, adopted by the legislative body, now only needs approval by the junta leader himself who rose to power following back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021. It is the latest in a series of restrictions on freedoms by Mali's military leadership to consolidate its power in the jihadist-hit Sahelian nation. The bill was unanimously backed by the 131 members present in the National Transitional Council, an AFP journalist said. The cabinet, the Council of Ministers, had already adopted the measure last month. The transition is fixed at five years, renewable "as many times as necessary, until the pacification of the country, from the promulgation of this charter", the bill, seen by AFP, states. The transitional president, government and legislative members are eligible to stand in presidential and general elections, the text says. "This is a major step forward in the rebuilding of Mali," Malick Diaw, president of the National Transitional Council, told AFP after Thursday's vote. "The adoption of this text is in accordance with the popular will," he said. When Goita took power, he insisted on Mali's commitment to the fight against jihadist violence and initially pledged a return to civilian rule. But the military ultimately reneged on its promise to cede power to elected civilians by their own deadline. - Repression of dissent - Earlier this year, a junta-led national consultation recommended the move proclaiming Goita president without a vote for the five-year renewable term. The same assembly -- boycotted by most political groups -- also recommended the dissolution of political parties and tougher rules for their creation. Subsequently, the junta announced in May the dissolution of all political parties and organisations, as well as a ban on meetings. The ongoing squeeze on Mali's civic space comes against a backdrop of clamour by authorities for the country to unite behind the military. Since 2012, Mali has been mired in violence carried out by jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as other criminal organisations. Those attacks have only intensified in recent weeks. The Malian army and its Russian mercenary allies from Africa Corps, tasked in particular with tracking down jihadists, are regularly accused of rights violations against civilians. Mali and its junta-led neighbours Burkina Faso and Niger have teamed up to create their own confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and have announced the creation of a joint 5,000-strong force for joint military operations. In Niger and Burkina, political parties have also been dissolved and suspended. Burkina's junta leader Capitain Ibrahim Traore, who seized power in a September 2022 coup, extended his transition at the helm of the country for an additional five years in May last year. In Niger, General Abdourahamane Tiani overthrew democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023. A national conference held in February strengthened the ruling junta by authorising Tiani to remain in power in Niger for the next five years. All three Sahelian countries have turned their backs on their shared former colonial master France in favour of stronger ties with Russia and other partners. lar-mk-lp-bfm/kjm/jj
Reuters
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Haiti's capital in the dark after residents storm hydroelectric plant
PORT-AU-PRINCE, June 18 (Reuters) - Haiti's capital of Port-au-Prince was in the dark on Wednesday after residents of a nearby town stormed a dam and brought it offline in protest at government inaction over gang violence. Gangs have tightened their grip on Haiti, with a record 1.3 million people displaced in the past six months, according to U.N. estimates. Local media reported that residents of the central town of Mirebalais, to the north of Port-au-Prince, marched on Tuesday afternoon into the hydroelectric plant which powers much of the region and brought it offline. Videos and photos circulating on social media, which Reuters was unable to immediately verify, showed them entering the building. They also reportedly toppled an electric transmission tower. Haiti's transitional government did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The outburst came after authorities and gangs faced off in Mirebalais earlier in the day, local media reported, with gangs capturing a security vehicle and setting it on fire. Reuters was not immediately able to verify images of the incident. This would be the second time residents forcibly shuttered the hydroelectric plant in recent months. In May, interim Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime promised swift action to ensure a similar incident would not happen again. Haitians are growing increasingly frustrated with the government as the transition council fails to deliver on promises to stabilize the nation, which has been without a president since Jovenel Moise was assassinated in 2021. A Kenya-led, U.N.-backed security mission to the nation has also failed to make headway in tackling the crisis. World leaders have increasingly called for the mission to become a formal U.N. peacekeeping mission, while the U.S. and Colombia have floated deploying troops through the Organization of American States.
