Türkiye Sends Massive Military Reinforcements to Northern Syriahttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5070261-t%C3%BCrkiye-sends-massive-military-reinforcements-northern-syria
Türkiye Sends Massive Military Reinforcements to Northern Syria
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Güler attends the "Free Fire 2024" training on Thursday (Turkish Ministry of Defense)
Türkiye has sent major military reinforcements to its positions across various fronts in northwestern Syria, amid concerns over Israel expanding its attacks from Gaza to Lebanon and its strikes on targets in Syria.
In this context, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended a secret parliamentary session on Thursday to discuss developments and threats to national security in light of Israel’s growing attacks and their proximity to Türkiye’s southern borders.
During the session, Defense Minister Yasar Güler and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan presented an overview of the situation in the region, focusing on Israeli strikes and potential threats to the country’s national security. The meeting will remain classified for 10 years.
Güler warned against dragging the region into significant turmoil due to Israel’s efforts to spread “state terrorism” in Lebanon. He stressed that this situation compels his country to be prepared for all possible scenarios and to adopt preemptive policies.
In the past two weeks, the Turkish army has sent significant military reinforcements, including convoys of equipment, soldiers, and logistical supplies, to areas controlled by Turkish forces, the Syrian National Army, which is loyal to Ankara, and areas controlled by Hayaat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Friday that Türkiye had sent massive reinforcements, including over 190 military vehicles, such as armored vehicles, tanks, personnel carriers, and trucks loaded with logistical equipment and ammunition. These were distributed across several strategic fronts in Idlib and Aleppo provinces, amid Ankara’s efforts to maintain its influence and prevent the outbreak of large-scale confrontations between the Syrian army and opposition forces.
The Turkish reinforcements coincided with HTS’s preparations for a major military operation against Syrian government-controlled areas to expand its control in the countrysides of Latakia, Hama, Idlib, and in the city of Aleppo and its western countryside, an area known as the “Putin-Erdogan” zone.
In response, the Syrian army has also sent significant reinforcements to the frontlines with HTS, particularly in Aleppo and Idlib.
According to SOHR, Türkiye has firmly rejected any military action by HTS and warned that it will not allow any wounded HTS fighters to be treated on Turkish soil. It also said that the country would block any military supplies from passing through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing in northern Idlib, which is a lifeline for northern Syria.
Alongside the heavy military build-up, Turkish military command has issued orders for all its forces and allied factions in northern Syria to be on full alert and to raise their level of preparedness.
A Turkish military official said on Thursday that his country is closely monitoring the situation and that no significant displacement toward the border with Syria has occurred amid the Israeli escalation in Lebanon.
He emphasized that Türkiye’s military operations in northern Syria are focused on two main objectives: combating terrorist organizations, referring to the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), the largest component of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and preventing new waves of displacement from within Syrian territory.
In light of these developments, Moscow announced that it is preparing to hold the 22nd round of the Astana peace talks for a political solution to the Syrian crisis, after a 10-month pause.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said preparations are underway to organize the meeting in Kazakhstan’s capital, according to the Russian news agency TASS.
The 21st round of Astana talks took place on Jan. 25, with the participation of the three guarantor countries (Russia, Türkiye and Iran), as well as delegations from the Syrian government and the Syrian opposition. Representatives from Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq also attended as observers, along with representatives from the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Israeli Supreme Court Rejects Appeal for Release of Gaza Doctor Held without Chargehttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5284718-israeli-supreme-court-rejects-appeal-release-gaza-doctor-held-without-charge
Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya, who was captured by the Israeli military in Gaza in late 2024 and still held in detention, appears via video link at the Israeli Supreme Court hearing in Jerusalem, June 10, 2026. (Reuters)
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Israeli Supreme Court Rejects Appeal for Release of Gaza Doctor Held without Charge
Palestinian doctor Hussam Abu Safiya, who was captured by the Israeli military in Gaza in late 2024 and still held in detention, appears via video link at the Israeli Supreme Court hearing in Jerusalem, June 10, 2026. (Reuters)
Israel's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an appeal to release a prominent Palestinian doctor who has been held without charge since he was captured in Gaza in late 2024.
Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of the Kamal Adwan hospital, is among at least 14 doctors from Gaza who have been detained in Israel without charge for more than a year.
The court based its decision on "confidential materials" that were not shared with Abu Safiya or his lawyer, Naji Abbas, director of the Prisoners and Detainees Department at the Israeli rights organization Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), told Reuters on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for the Supreme Court declined to comment.
"The message sent by this decision is unmistakable: a medical professional can be deprived of his liberty indefinitely without being charged and without the authorities presenting evidence against him in open court," Abbas said in a statement.
Abu Safiya's lawyer and human rights groups say the medic has been denied sufficient food and assaulted in prison.
Israel's prison service has denied the allegations.
Abu Safiya appeared by video link at a Supreme Court hearing in Jerusalem last Wednesday, looking noticeably thinner.
For the past 13 days, Abu Safiya has also been held in solitary confinement, PHRI said.
The Israeli military has accused Abu Safiya of being a member of the Palestinian group Hamas. It has not provided evidence and Gaza's health ministry and Hamas have denied the allegation.
In 2023, Abu Safiya was among the doctors who refused to leave the dozens of newborn infants they were treating after the Israeli military ordered them to leave.
Al-Aradah to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia Spared Yemen from Another Civil Warhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5284712-al-aradah-asharq-al-awsat-saudi-arabia-spared-yemen-another-civil-war
Al-Aradah to Asharq Al-Awsat: Saudi Arabia Spared Yemen from Another Civil War
Al-Aradah stressed that Saudi Arabia averted a new civil war in Yemen. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Maj. Gen. Sultan Al-Aradah, a member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and governor of Marib, said Saudi Arabia helped prevent Yemen from sliding into a new civil war through what he described as its “sincere” support during the tensions that unfolded in Hadramawt and Al-Mahra last December.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Aradah maintained that the Yemeni people, with their long history, civilization and standing, cannot remain hostage to a militia – a reference to the Iran-backed Houthis. “Sometimes peace can only be achieved by imposing peace,” he said.
He described relations with Saudi Arabia as far deeper than conventional political ties, calling them “a relationship of shared destiny,” and praised Saudi development projects across Yemen, noting their visible impact on communities throughout the country.
German ambassador’s visit
Al-Aradah viewed last week’s visit by German Ambassador Hubert Jäger to Marib as evidence of the strength of Yemeni-German relations and Berlin’s commitment to supporting Yemen through difficult circumstances.
Germany has played an important role in humanitarian and development efforts over many years, he noted.
The relationship between the two countries spans decades and includes a wide range of shared interests, making the ambassador’s visit an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into conditions in Marib and the challenges facing the province.
The Houthis and the regional conflict
Al-Aradah criticized the Houthi involvement in the wider regional conflict, arguing that it serves neither Yemen’s interests nor those of the region and does nothing to preserve state institutions.
“What interest do the Houthis have in intervening in issues that have no direct connection to Yemen?” he asked.
Such policies, he said, have brought Yemen repeated crises and deepened the suffering endured by Yemenis over the past decade.
According to Al-Aradah, Yemen cannot achieve lasting stability until the state regains its authority and institutions.
He indicated that the legitimate government and its regional and international partners will continue working toward that objective.
“The Yemeni people, with their history, civilization and stature, cannot remain hostage to a militia, whatever form it takes,” he said, adding that Yemenis will continue their efforts, with the support of allies and partners, to rebuild their state and restore its institutions.
Maj. Gen. Sultan Al-Aradah, a member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council and governor of Marib. (Saba)
Why Marib held firm
Asked about Marib’s ability to withstand years of military and political pressure, Al-Aradah dismissed the idea of any “secret” or “magic formula.”
The province’s resilience stemmed from a profound sense of responsibility at a decisive moment in Yemen’s history, he explained. As state institutions collapsed and Yemenis faced attacks on their lives, dignity, property and national values, many rallied behind Marib.
For many Yemenis, Marib became more than a safe haven; it became the center of the struggle to defend the republic and restore the state, he added.
Assessing the performance of the legitimate government over recent years, Al-Aradah acknowledged that numerous domestic and external factors had hindered progress.
Without elaborating, he noted that these obstacles affected development, the economy and security. Nevertheless, he described them as challenges that can be overcome and suggested that meaningful progress has already been made in addressing some of them.
Peace efforts
Al-Aradah reiterated that peace remains the preferred option, but argued that it requires parties willing to embrace it.
“The problem is that we do not have a party that believes in peace,” he said. “The other side views peace as the end of its project. We want peace, but the question is: with whom?”
One of the principal reasons the war continues, he added, is the belief among the Houthis that a genuine settlement would undermine their political and ideological project.
Asked whether that implied a military solution, Al-Aradah replied that history offers many examples of conflicts that ended only through decisive action after negotiations failed and one side showed no real commitment to peace.
Perpetual war is not a viable option. The interests of the Yemeni people must take precedence over all other considerations, he stressed.
Keeping the state intact
Al-Aradah described the Presidential Leadership Council’s ability to preserve the state and maintain cohesion under extraordinarily difficult circumstances as a significant achievement in itself.
Yemen, he observed, faced challenges that could easily have led to fragmentation and dangerous divisions. Instead, the council endured and overcame many obstacles with support from regional and international partners.
The council is pursuing several priorities simultaneously, including unifying military formations, strengthening joint operations, improving coordination among national forces, supporting the government and preserving state institutions.
It is also working to improve economic conditions, consolidate state revenues and help government institutions resume normal operations.
While acknowledging the scale of public suffering, Al-Aradah said that the current situation must be judged against the alternative.
“When we look at the alternative, we realize the other option was chaos, fragmentation and total collapse,” he noted.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Al-Aradah. (SPA file)
The challenge within
The most difficult challenge facing the PLC, Al-Aradah noted, has been internal rather than external.
The council has grappled with major internal issues since its formation, although many of those matters were not suitable for public discussion at the time.
He credited PLC Chairman Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi with playing a central role in containing those challenges.
“He has shown remarkable patience and endurance and has faced considerable criticism,” Al-Aradah said. “We have now seen the results of that patience.”
Collective leadership models are inherently difficult and often encounter serious obstacles, he remarked.
The council was not created arbitrarily, but emerged from a careful assessment of Yemen’s political, military and regional realities, he went on to say. Its members represent different forces, constituencies and regions, with the aim of unifying national political and military power against common challenges.
Building a unified military
Discussing efforts to unify military formations, Al-Aradah said important progress has been made through joint operations and military committees that bring together commanders from different forces.
He credited Saudi Arabia with playing a pivotal role, not only through political backing but also through logistical and military support and sustained coordination among various factions.
The Kingdom views military unification as an integral part of the broader effort to restore the Yemeni state and works directly with different military formations, providing support and funding, he told Asharq Al-Awsat
Hadramawt and the threat of escalation
Turning to developments in Hadramawt, Al-Aradah expressed regret over the tensions that unfolded there, arguing that the province never deserved to be drawn into conflict.
Hadramawt has long been one of Yemen’s most peaceful and stable regions, he noted. The tensions resulted from poor calculations at both local and external levels, prompting Yemen’s leadership to act in order to preserve national unity and prevent broader confrontations.
He praised Saudi Arabia’s role during the crisis, describing the Kingdom as “a sincere brother” that stood beside Yemen at a critical moment and helped prevent the country from sliding further toward fragmentation.
According to Al-Aradah, that coordinated effort protected Yemen from a new civil war that could have spread across large parts of the country.
Yemen is already fighting a war against the Houthis while enduring a severe economic crisis, he noted. Opening new fronts inside government-controlled areas would have posed a grave threat to the country’s future.
Many Yemenis, including some who disagreed with decisions taken at the time, will eventually recognize the significance of the Kingdom’s role in preventing further divisions and conflict, he predicted.
A reckoning for Yemen’s political elite
Al-Aradah argued that the key question facing Yemen’s political elite is not their own future but whether they can guide the country out of its crisis and restore state institutions.
The political class, he suggested, must undertake an honest assessment of its own record, since much of Yemen’s current predicament resulted from rivalries, disputes and conflicts among competing elites.
Their moral and national responsibility now is to correct those mistakes by working to restore the state and improve the lives of ordinary Yemenis.
The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council during a meeting. (Yemeni Presidency)
Saudi-Yemeni relations
Speaking at length about Saudi-Yemeni relations, Al-Aradah described them as ties of “shared destiny” that transcend ordinary politics.
Al-Aradah said the relationship is rooted in history, kinship, religion, common interests and intertwined security concerns.
Saudi Arabia’s greatest contribution to Yemen, in his view, has been political rather than financial.
“The most important thing Saudi Arabia provided was diplomatic and political backing for Yemen’s legitimate government from the very beginning of the crisis,” he said.
Without that support and the accompanying diplomatic efforts, parts of the international community might have treated the Houthis as a permanent authority or alternative government.
The Kingdom has also supported state institutions, assisted the government and provided humanitarian aid and relief.
“Saudi Arabia is committed to restoring the Yemeni state and its sovereignty perhaps more than many Yemenis themselves,” Al-Aradah said.
Saudi development efforts in Yemen
He praised Saudi-funded projects throughout Yemen and thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their continued support.
He highlighted the work of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and commended the Masam landmine-clearance program, noting that Houthi landmines continue to threaten farmers, shepherds, travelers, children and civilians.
He also praised the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen, led by Ambassador Mohammed Al Jaber, crediting it with strengthening health care, education, water services, infrastructure and local development.
Al-Zaidi, Barrack Discuss Iraq’s Plans for Disarmament of Armed Groups ahead of US Visithttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5284670-al-zaidi-barrack-discuss-iraq%E2%80%99s-plans-disarmament-armed-groups-ahead-us-visit
Al-Zaidi, Barrack Discuss Iraq’s Plans for Disarmament of Armed Groups ahead of US Visit
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi receives US Special Presidential Envoy Tom Barrack in Baghdad on Tuesday. (INA)
The agreement between the United States and Iran to end the conflict in the region has revived hopes that the Iraqi government will be able to disarm armed factions that are aligned with Iran.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi received US Special Presidential Envoy Tom Barrack in Baghdad for talks on the “shared commitment” of the US and Iraqi governments “to a strong and mutually beneficial US-Iraq partnership, able to fulfill Iraqi aspirations for a sovereign, secure, and prosperous future and to deliver tangible benefits for Americans and Iraqis alike,” said the US Embassy in Iraq in a statement on Tuesday.
Barrack said US President Donald Trump looks forward to welcoming al-Zaidi to the White House mid-July “to discuss the future of this important relationship”.
The leaders discussed “the shared aspirational vision for the Iraqi government to build a brighter future free from terrorism, to implement Iraqi plans for ensuring the complete disarmament and disbandment of all armed groups and formations operating outside the authority and control of the Iraqi state, to ensure the confinement of their weapons within the authority of the Iraqi state, and to assert full sovereignty in order to keep Iraq away from conflict and ensure that Iraqi territory cannot be used by any side to threaten regional peace.”
“Al-Zaidi and Barrack underscored the urgency in full completion of these efforts,” added the statement.
Al-Zaidi also reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to deepening trade and investment relations between the two countries, and Barrack welcomed this shared approach.
The two sides also underscored “the importance of supporting a strong, sovereign, and united federal democratic Iraq, grounded in robust constitutional institutions, and ensuring full equality for all citizens, in a manner that strengthens Iraq's unity, stability, and prosperity.”
Disarmament of factions
Efforts to impose state monopoly over arms continue to be shrouded in mystery given the lack of clear mechanism and plans to that effect. So far, the government has said that it wanted to resolve this issue when the international anti-ISIS coalition ends its mission in Iraq in September.
Meanwhile, more factions have been voicing their opposition to disarmament.
The Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada reneged on Sunday on its previous declaration that it would lay down its arms.
Observers said it changed its position after its leader Abu Ala al-Walai was placed on a US sanctions and terrorism list.
They predicted that other factions may also change their stance on disarmament.
Kataib spokesman Kazem al-Fartousi told the media on Sunday that the “resistance’s weapons was too great an issue to be discussed by the Iraqi government.”
Rather, he said it was the “choice of the people and nation. So we cannot comply with calls that could be attributed to the government or foreign pressure.”
“The weapons are needed for one goal and purpose: the withdrawal of the occupier,” he added.
“We respect al-Zaidi's government as one that represents the Iraqi people, but we do not agree to the demand of disarmament and categorically reject it,” he continued, citing “repeated attacks on Iraq’s sovereignty.”
“We have several reasons to keep the weapons,” he added.
The staunchly pro-Iran Kataib Hezbollah and al-Nujaba movement have been adamantly opposed to disarmament since the government expressed its determination to impose state monopoly over weapons.
A source close to the factions revealed that “direct and serious threats have been made against political and government powers” against pursuing disarmament, which explains why discussions over the issue have died down somewhat in Iraq in recent days.
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, did not elaborate on the threats, but spoke of fears of “intra-Shiite strife should the authorities maintain their position on disarmament.”
The source did not rule out the possibility that Iran could exert its influence over the factions to respect a long-term truce in Iraq should the agreement to end the war with the US stand.
Researcher and former diplomat Ghazi al-Faisal stressed that Iran plays a decisive role in the disarmament file.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat: “Any strategic shift in the Iranian policy will reflect directly on Iraq.”
“Should Iran choose the path of a developed state and economic integration instead of backing cross-border armed groups, then that will pave the way for a new phase of stability in the region,” he remarked.
“Iraq will benefit the most from such a shift,” he predicted.
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