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Syria: Five Killed in Clashes between Zakia Residents and 4th Brigade

25 August 2023, Syria, Idlib: Syrians take part in a demonstration against President Bashar al-Assad's regime and in support of anti-government demonstrations in southern Syria. Photo: Anas Alkharboutli/dpa
25 August 2023, Syria, Idlib: Syrians take part in a demonstration against President Bashar al-Assad's regime and in support of anti-government demonstrations in southern Syria. Photo: Anas Alkharboutli/dpa
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Syria: Five Killed in Clashes between Zakia Residents and 4th Brigade

25 August 2023, Syria, Idlib: Syrians take part in a demonstration against President Bashar al-Assad's regime and in support of anti-government demonstrations in southern Syria. Photo: Anas Alkharboutli/dpa
25 August 2023, Syria, Idlib: Syrians take part in a demonstration against President Bashar al-Assad's regime and in support of anti-government demonstrations in southern Syria. Photo: Anas Alkharboutli/dpa

Clashes broke out between Zakia town residents in Damascus countryside and local militants linked to the 4th brigade - led by Maher Assad who is the brother of Bashar Assad.

Clashes erupted after a wanted individual from the town was killed as he was chased by militia members.

Local sources in Damascus countryside reported that some Zakia residents burnt several houses of local militia members during hours-long clashes that resulted in the death of five, three from the 4th brigade and two armed men from the town.

Moreover, four were wounded and three were kidnapped from Maher Assad's brigade.

Activists from Zakia Alhadath website said that its correspondent was wounded by a stray bullet as she covered the clashes.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three members of the 4th brigade were killed, and three others were detained. In addition, two armed men were killed while four others were wounded.

SOHR noted that the clashes broke out after the death of an individual during an attempt to arrest him by a local militia. Moreover, one of the three detainees admitted that three officials planted explosive devices in Zakia to target anti-regime figures.

The opposition website, Damascus Voice gave further details, by saying that Nazeer Shaaban, a resident of Zakia, was shot in the chest by Jamal Zinedine, a member of Muawiya Tohme – a militia affiliated with the 4th brigade.

Last week, regime forces dispatched military reinforcements to Zakia and installed checkpoints at its entrances. They further threatened to raid the town after the spread of anti-regime banners as protests persisted in Sweida.

Negotiations were held with the town’s elders to contain the tension, and a settlement was reached on Sunday regarding some of those wanted by the regime. But tension erupted again Wednesday night.

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Arab World

Lebanon: Army Says Achieved State Monopoly on Arms in the South in 'Effective’ Way

FILE - Lebanese army soldiers walk through a tunnel dug into a mountain that was used by Hezbollah fighters as a clinic and storage facility near the Lebanese-Israeli border in the Zibqin Valley, southern Lebanon, Nov. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File)
FILE - Lebanese army soldiers walk through a tunnel dug into a mountain that was used by Hezbollah fighters as a clinic and storage facility near the Lebanese-Israeli border in the Zibqin Valley, southern Lebanon, Nov. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File)
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Lebanon: Army Says Achieved State Monopoly on Arms in the South in 'Effective’ Way

FILE - Lebanese army soldiers walk through a tunnel dug into a mountain that was used by Hezbollah fighters as a clinic and storage facility near the Lebanese-Israeli border in the Zibqin Valley, southern Lebanon, Nov. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File)
FILE - Lebanese army soldiers walk through a tunnel dug into a mountain that was used by Hezbollah fighters as a clinic and storage facility near the Lebanese-Israeli border in the Zibqin Valley, southern Lebanon, Nov. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File)

The Lebanese army said on Thursday that it had achieved the goal of a state monopoly on arms in the country’s south in an "effective and tangible way", but said there was more work to be done to clear unexploded ordnance and tunnels in the area.

The army had set a year-end deadline to clear non-state weaponry from southern Lebanon, which ⁠borders Israel, before moving on to other areas of the country.

It said it had extended operational control over the south, except for areas still occupied by Israeli troops.

The statement did not mention Hezbollah, which ⁠fought a year-long war with Israel that ended in a 2024 ceasefire that stipulated that only Lebanon’s state security forces were allowed to carry arms.

A Lebanese security source told Reuters that the statement signaled that no group would be able to launch attacks from southern Lebanon.

Israel and Lebanon agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire in 2024, ending more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. That culminated in Israeli strikes that severely weakened the group. Since then, the sides have traded accusations of violations.

Arab World

Egypt Calls for Safe Shelter, Humanitarian Access to Sudanese

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during the reception of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Cairo last month (Egyptian Presidency)
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during the reception of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Cairo last month (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt Calls for Safe Shelter, Humanitarian Access to Sudanese

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during the reception of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Cairo last month (Egyptian Presidency)
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during the reception of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Cairo last month (Egyptian Presidency)

Cairo on Wednesday affirmed the need to provide safe shelter and unimpeded humanitarian access to Sudanese, condemning the massacres and serious violations against civilians in El Fasher and North Kordofan.

Egypt’s position was conveyed by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during a phone call with Tom Fletcher, the United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.

Abdelatty called for urgent measures to protect civilians and affirmed Egypt’s full support for the work of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and its central role in strengthening effective responses to humanitarian crises in the region, whether in the occupied Palestinian territories or Sudan.

Recently, Egypt has intensified contacts to support Sudan's sovereignty, protect its national institutions, and push towards a comprehensive ceasefire within the framework of the “Quad Mechanism.”

Last August, the Mechanism, comprising Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United States, and United Arab Emirates, proposed a roadmap in which it called for a three-month initial humanitarian truce, then an inclusive and transparent transition process within nine months to meet the aspirations of the Sudanese people towards smoothly establishing an independent, civilian-led government with broad-based legitimacy and accountability.

During the phone call on Wednesday, Abdelatty stressed the importance of close coordination with the UN and its specialized agencies to ease civilian suffering and support regional stability.

On Dec. 28, the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC), in coordination with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, sent a humanitarian aid convoy to support the Sudanese people, carrying around 70 tons of food, medical supplies, and other relief items.

Last month, the Egyptian presidency issued a statement on the war in Sudan outlining three points it described as “red lines.”

Egypt would not allow any of them to be crossed or compromised, as they directly affect Egypt’s national security, which it said is inseparable from Sudan’s national security.

The reference to activating the joint defense agreement between the two countries was seen as a signal that Egypt could bring its military, political, and diplomatic weight in support of the Sudanese army.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had received last month Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council in Cairo.

El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s “full support for the Sudanese people in overcoming the current critical phase,” stressing his country’s unwavering commitment to Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, security, and stability.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said Abdelatty discussed with Fletcher the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The minister urged intensified international action to ensure full and unhindered access for humanitarian, medical, and relief aid into Gaza, calling for the removal of Israeli restrictions that he said were blocking sufficient aid deliveries as winter conditions worsen.

He also stressed the need to protect civilians and speed up the entry of essential supplies, including relief materials and mobile housing units, to mitigate civilian suffering in the Gaza Strip.

Arab World

Yemen’s Al-Alimi Removes Several Officials from their Positions

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi. saba
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi. saba
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Yemen’s Al-Alimi Removes Several Officials from their Positions

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi. saba
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi. saba

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi has issued a series of decisions, including dismissals, referrals for investigation, and new appointments to sensitive military, security, and local positions.

The move reflects a firm approach to reassert control over state institutions.

Al-Alimi issued Decree No. 7 of 2026 concerning the dismissal of the Commander of the Second Military Region and the Commander of the Al-Ghaydah Axis and Military Police Brigade in Al-Mahra Governorate.

Article One of the decree stipulates the dismissal of Major General (Staff) Talib Saeed Abdullah Barjash from his position as Commander of the Second Military Region and his referral for investigation in accordance with legally prescribed procedures and regulations.

Article Two stipulates the dismissal of Major General Mohsen Ali Nasser Marsa from his positions as Commander of the Al-Ghaydah Axis and Commander of the Military Police Brigade in Al-Mahra Governorate. It also stipulates his referral for investigation in accordance with legally prescribed procedures and regulations.

In decree No. 5 he appointed Abdulrahman Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Yafie as Minister of State and Governor of Aden Governorate.

Al-Alimi relieved Ahmed Hamed Lamlas, Minister of State and Governor of Aden Governorate, of his post and referred him for investigation.

He also dismissed Abdul Salam Saleh Humaid Hadi, Minister of Transport, and Waed Abdullah Badeeb, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, from their posts and referred them for investigation.

Decree No, 9 stipulated the appointment of Salem Ali Sa’ad Ahmed Makhbal Keddah as Commander of the Al-Ghaydah Military Axis, with promotion to the rank of Brigadier General.

In Decree No. 10, Al-Alimi appointed Brigadier General Khaled Yoslam Ali Al-Qathmi as Commander of the Second Presidential Special Guard Brigade.

Earlier, Head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi was expelled from the PLC for high treason, Al-Alimi announced.

In a decree, Al-Alimi referred Al-Zubaidi to the general prosecutor for committing high treason and harming the unity and security of the state.