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Sharaa’s Meeting with SDF Leadership Focused Solely on Military Matters

The Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, at a press conference following the opposition’s capture of Aleppo in early December 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat). 
The Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, at a press conference following the opposition’s capture of Aleppo in early December 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat). 
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Sharaa’s Meeting with SDF Leadership Focused Solely on Military Matters

The Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, at a press conference following the opposition’s capture of Aleppo in early December 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat). 
The Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, at a press conference following the opposition’s capture of Aleppo in early December 2024 (Asharq Al-Awsat). 

A representative of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), the political wing of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), stated that the recent meeting between the SDF leadership and the new Syrian administration in Damascus addressed only military issues. Bassem Ishak, head of the SDC’s Washington office, described the discussions as positive, focusing on operational coordination and shared concerns.
Since opposition forces entered Aleppo late last year, SDF leaders have maintained direct contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to protect Kurdish communities and other residents in areas like Tal Rifaat and the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in Aleppo. Ishak emphasized that the coordination between the SDF and the “Operation Room to Deter Aggression” has been ongoing since December 8, covering military operations and field developments.
This meeting marked the first between SDF leaders and Ahmed Al-Sharaa since the ousting of Bashar Al-Assad. It comes amid continued clashes between Kurdish fighters and Turkish-backed factions in northern Syria, particularly around Ain al-Arab (Kobani) and Tal Rifaat, areas now under Turkish control.
Ishak clarified that the SDF had not attended a broader meeting between Al-Sharaa and opposition factions last year due to military circumstances but noted that this recent encounter was official and amicable, signaling progress in dialogue. He added that the green Syrian flag would soon be raised in all areas under SDF control.
The SDF, backed by the US and international coalition, continues to control significant territories in northern Syria, including parts of Raqqa, Hasakah, and Deir ez-Zor. Ishak expressed optimism about a unified Syrian flag flying across all regions, including those under Turkish occupation.

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Cairo May Request Extradition of Qaradawi’s Son from Abu Dhabi

Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
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Cairo May Request Extradition of Qaradawi’s Son from Abu Dhabi

Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)

As Lebanese authorities proceed with the deportation of Egyptian activist Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi, the son of the late cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi, to the United Arab Emirates, an Egyptian source involved in the case told Asharq Al-Awsat that Cairo plans to formally request his extradition from Abu Dhabi once he arrives there.

Controversy has surrounded the case since Lebanon announced that the government had approved the deportation of Qaradawi to the UAE instead of Egypt, where he holds citizenship.

Former Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that citizenship is not an obstacle in extradition cases between countries, saying that a state may decide to extradite a person to another country even if they hold the nationality of a third state, as in the case of Qaradawi’s son.

According to Lebanese sources, the decision to extradite Qaradawi to the UAE is based on a warrant issued by the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. As a member of the council, Lebanon is obligated to comply with the UAE’s request, despite the absence of a direct bilateral extradition agreement between the two countries.

Additionally, the extradition decision was influenced by the fact that the charges against Qaradawi are criminal, not political, as political charges would prevent extradition and instead warrant protection under international conventions.

An Egyptian judicial source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the International Cooperation Office of Egypt’s Public Prosecutor had prepared a comprehensive file containing all rulings issued against Qaradawi to ensure that the extradition request met all legal requirements. This file was sent to Lebanese judicial authorities through official channels. However, Egypt has yet to receive a response from Lebanon, though one is expected in the coming days.

Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Mehran, a member of the American and European societies for international law, told Asharq Al-Awsat that international law generally allows extradition when the individual is either a citizen of the requesting state, has committed a crime on its territory, or when the requesting state has a direct legal interest in the case.

As Qaradawi is an Egyptian citizen, Egypt “has the legal right to request his extradition under international law and bilateral agreements, provided all legal conditions are met,” Mehran said.

Meanwhile, Qaradawi’s lawyer, Mohammed Sablouh, confirmed plans to file an urgent appeal in Lebanese courts to prevent his client’s extradition, according to Reuters. Mehran explained that extradition laws grant the individual the right to appeal in court, while the requesting states also have the right to challenge decisions.

Mehran suggested that if Qaradawi is ultimately handed over to the UAE, it is highly likely he will later be extradited to Egypt after procedural requirements in the Emirates are fulfilled. This is due to the strong bilateral relations and close security coordination between Egypt and the UAE.

Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi, who holds dual Egyptian and Turkish citizenship, was arrested in Lebanon on December 28 after returning from Syria. His arrest followed an Interpol red notice issued based on an in absentia ruling by an Egyptian court sentencing him to five years in prison for spreading false news, inciting violence, and terrorism. Before his arrest, Qaradawi appeared in a video filmed at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, where he made remarks considered offensive to both Egypt and the UAE.