Syrian Observatory: Israeli Forces Kidnap Baath Party Commander

A circulated photo of Mutaa Al-Sarhan, a leader in the Syrian Baath Party, in Quneitra
A circulated photo of Mutaa Al-Sarhan, a leader in the Syrian Baath Party, in Quneitra
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Syrian Observatory: Israeli Forces Kidnap Baath Party Commander

A circulated photo of Mutaa Al-Sarhan, a leader in the Syrian Baath Party, in Quneitra
A circulated photo of Mutaa Al-Sarhan, a leader in the Syrian Baath Party, in Quneitra

Israeli forces kidnapped a commander in Al-Baath Party and a member of the Reconciliation Committee from his house in Al-Rafeed village in Qunaitra’s countryside, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation announced that the military has detained a suspect accused of crossing the border from Syria into Israel. The suspect was being interrogated.

The residents of the village accused Israeli forces of crossing the border to kidnap Mutaa Al-Sarhan.

There is no confirmed information about the reasons behind his kidnapping.

Regime forces are prevented from approaching the border area because it is considered a ceasefire agreement zone between the Israeli and Syrian sides.

The report comes one day after an attack - attributed to Israel - on a building in Kafr Sousa in Damascus, targeting Iranian leaders.

The Israeli airstrike hit the residential building on Wednesday, killing two people, Syrian state media and a security source said.

The neighborhood hosts residential buildings, schools and Iranian cultural centers, and lies near a large, heavily-guarded complex used by security agencies.



Erdogan Says Türkiye in Close Dialogue with Syria’s Sharaa

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
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Erdogan Says Türkiye in Close Dialogue with Syria’s Sharaa

A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)
A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arriving for the opening session of the Organization of Eight Developing Countries (D-8) summit in Cairo, Egypt, 19 December 2024. (EPA/ Turkish Presidential Press Office handout)

Türkiye is in close dialogue with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, adding visits to Syria will increase from now on.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdogan said Türkiye would provide the Syrian people with all the support they needed to consolidate their gains.

"In the future of Syria and our region, there is no place for any terrorist organization, including ISIS and the PKK," he said, adding Türkiye’s unwavering line is to protect Syria's territorial integrity and unity under all circumstances.