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Expert to Asharq Al-Awsat: Zelenskyy Offered Syria Phosphate-for-Wheat, Drones Deal

A handout photo made available by Presidential Press Service shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) during their meeting in Damascus, Syria, 05 April 2026. (EPA/Presidential Press Service)
A handout photo made available by Presidential Press Service shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) during their meeting in Damascus, Syria, 05 April 2026. (EPA/Presidential Press Service)
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Expert to Asharq Al-Awsat: Zelenskyy Offered Syria Phosphate-for-Wheat, Drones Deal

A handout photo made available by Presidential Press Service shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) during their meeting in Damascus, Syria, 05 April 2026. (EPA/Presidential Press Service)
A handout photo made available by Presidential Press Service shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) during their meeting in Damascus, Syria, 05 April 2026. (EPA/Presidential Press Service)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s first visit to Damascus might have passed as routine, aimed at strengthening ties, but its timing amid regional tensions and Türkiye’s presence gave it added weight.

Analysts saw multiple messages in the trip, including signals to Russia as regional power balances shift. A military expert instead framed it as part of Zelenskyy’s regional push to promote Ukrainian drones, curb sales of stolen Ukrainian grain, and secure Syrian phosphate.

Retired colonel Imad Shahoud told Asharq Al-Awsat that Türkiye is keen to keep relations between Damascus and Kyiv balanced, in line with Ankara’s cautious approach to Syria. Turkish participation, he said, was meant to keep talks on track and avoid politically sensitive positions during the ongoing war.

He placed the visit within Zelenskyy’s broader outreach, which included defense agreements with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as security talks in Istanbul.

Shahoud said Ukraine is seeking to market its drones in exchange for French Mirage jets from Gulf states, while also pressing Gulf states for help to prevent Egypt from buying Ukrainian grain that Russia is selling at lower prices.

On Syria, he said Ukraine is offering wheat in exchange for phosphate at a low cost. A Russian company controls about 70 percent of Syria’s phosphate output and sells it to Europe.

He added that Western countries want to pull Syria away from Russia, but Damascus is maintaining a balanced relationship based on accepting “current realities”.

Many agreements remain in place and are under review, especially oil and gas deals granted to Russian firms as wartime compensation. Any misstep could affect those talks.

Abdulwahhab Assi, head of studies at Jusoor Center, said Syria is seeking to use current regional conditions to build a deterrence system. Israel has repeatedly opposed Turkish plans to deploy air defenses in southern and central Syria and has also objected to potential US provision of Patriot systems.

Assi told Asharq Al-Awsat that Syria’s options are limited between Ukraine and Russia. Kyiv offers lighter technologies that may avoid political and military complications with Syria or Israel, while Moscow appears weaker but remains in play.

He said Damascus needs leverage in talks with Russia over rebuilding military assets damaged during the war, particularly after Israel’s Operation Arrow of Bashan in December 2024.

Talks with Moscow have yet to deliver what Syria hopes for, he said, making engagement with Ukraine a potential pressure tool.

Still, he stressed Ukraine is not a strategic alternative to Russia, but a technical partner that could help reduce threats from Iranian missiles and drones, and assist in repairing military equipment through its officers and advisers.

Assi said Russia is likely to factor this into ongoing negotiations, as Syria, with Turkish backing, has secured a technical alternative that could strengthen its political position.

Abdulhamid Tawfiq, head of the Renaissance Center for Research and Studies, said the growing Ukrainian presence in Syria following Russia’s declining role was central to Zelenskyy’s visit.

The trip reflects wider regional and international shifts, with Ukraine now at the forefront of confrontation with Russia alongside NATO, the United States, and the West, which views Syria as strategically important, Tawfiq told Asharq Al-Awsat.

He said Ukraine’s emergence in Syria sends a direct message to Russia that new balances can be shaped in the country and the region.

Syria, he added, could turn to Ukraine for support across sectors, including the economy, agriculture, and civilian and military industry, helping drive development.

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Arab World

US Auditors Find No Evidence Linking Iraq PM-Designate to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards

Iraq’s prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a Coordination Framework meeting in Baghdad on April 27 (AP)
Iraq’s prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a Coordination Framework meeting in Baghdad on April 27 (AP)
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US Auditors Find No Evidence Linking Iraq PM-Designate to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards

Iraq’s prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a Coordination Framework meeting in Baghdad on April 27 (AP)
Iraq’s prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a Coordination Framework meeting in Baghdad on April 27 (AP)

A US law firm said an independent investigation it recently conducted found no evidence linking Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, to financial activities tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, adding that restrictions imposed on him in 2024 were due to reputational risks, not proven involvement in money laundering.

The clarification comes as al-Zaidi’s surprise designation to form a government in Baghdad, succeeding Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, faces political scrutiny over his background, after a bank he owns was included in restrictions by the Central Bank of Iraq on access to US dollars, as part of what was described at the time as a campaign to combat illicit financial flows.

Representatives of K2 Integrity, who asked not to be named because they are not authorized to speak publicly, said an independent probe by the firm found no credible evidence linking al-Zaidi or Al-Janoob Islamic Bank to the Quds Force and did not identify direct financial transfers from the bank to regional entities classified as high risk.

One representative told Asharq Al-Awsat that the restriction recommended by the US Treasury and the New York Federal Reserve on Al-Janoob Islamic Bank was limited to US dollar transactions and was driven by reputational concerns and the bank’s ownership, rather than confirmed violations related to money laundering or financing Iran-linked entities.

Al-Zaidi, a businessman who owns companies with his brother and partners, including Al-Oweis, Al-Janoob, and Dijlah TV, is seen as an opaque figure in Iraq’s political landscape.

His designation came amid public US opposition that led to Nouri al-Maliki’s exclusion from the race, while unannounced objections were also reported to have sidelined al-Sudani.

Restrictions linked to Iran

In February 2024, Iraq imposed restrictions on eight local banks, including Al-Janoob Islamic Bank, preventing them from accessing US dollars through the central bank window. The move was part of Washington’s efforts to curb money transfers to Iran.

A US Treasury spokesperson said at the time the measures aimed to protect Iraq’s financial system from abuse, citing concerns that US currency could be used in illegal activities.

The case highlights the ongoing challenge facing Baghdad in balancing its ties with both the United States and Iran, given its heavy reliance on the US dollar. Iraq receives about $10 billion in cash annually from the Federal Reserve, according to official estimates.

The US Embassy in Baghdad welcomed al-Zaidi’s designation, expressing support for efforts to form a government that reflects the aspirations of the Iraqi people. This follows months of political deadlock and comes amid pressure from the administration of Donald Trump, which had threatened to cut support to Iraq if al-Maliki returned to power.

Al-Zaidi faces a 30-day deadline to form a government, amid sharp divisions within the Coordination Framework and as regional tensions escalate following military strikes on Iran in February 2026 and subsequent attacks by armed groups on US interests in Iraq.

Arab World

Syria Justice Chief Says Pursuing Assad Regime Requires Patience

Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, head of Syria’s National Transitional Justice Commission (file photo)
Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, head of Syria’s National Transitional Justice Commission (file photo)
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Syria Justice Chief Says Pursuing Assad Regime Requires Patience

Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, head of Syria’s National Transitional Justice Commission (file photo)
Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, head of Syria’s National Transitional Justice Commission (file photo)

Syria’s judiciary has begun investigating four senior figures from the former regime accused of war crimes against Syrians, even as the National Transitional Justice Commission has yet to complete the formation of its council, raising questions over whether the move falls within a transitional justice framework, particularly in the absence of a dedicated law.

Commission head Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif said the referrals are part of that process.

“Referring the four former regime figures to the courts falls within the path of transitional justice,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that the move was coordinated with the Ministry of Justice.

His remarks come amid doubts about the state’s willingness to hold former regime figures accountable.

Public Prosecutor Judge Hassan al-Turba said on July 30 that prosecutions had been launched against several defendants accused of crimes and violations against Syrians, as part of efforts to implement transitional justice, ensure accountability, and protect victims’ rights.

Those targeted include former officials under Bashar al-Assad: Atef Najib, Ahmad Badr al-Din Hassoun, Mohammad al-Shaar, and Ibrahim al-Huweija.

Justice process launched

On May 17, Syria’s president issued a decree establishing a transitional justice commission to uncover violations by the former regime, hold those responsible accountable, and provide redress to victims.

The decree describes transitional justice as a cornerstone for building a state governed by the rule of law, guaranteeing victims’ rights, and achieving national reconciliation.

The decree appointed Abdul Latif to lead the body and tasked him with forming a team and drafting internal regulations within 30 days. It grants the commission legal personality and financial and administrative independence, with authority to operate across Syria.

Abdul Latif, born in Deir al-Zor in 1963, studied law at the University of Aleppo and holds advanced degrees in police and legal sciences.

He headed the Qamishli district before defecting in 2012 and later served as secretary-general of the Syrian opposition National Coalition until the regime’s fall.

The commission will examine complaints related to the Assad government’s crackdown on protests that began in March 2011.

Alleged violations include chemical attacks, widespread aerial bombardment with barrel bombs, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and systematic torture in detention centers, which rights groups say killed or disappeared hundreds of thousands of civilians.

Draft law in the works

Abdul Latif said a draft law on transitional justice and serious violations is being prepared and is expected after the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Trials will cover “all types of crimes defined in the decree,” including genocide, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearance, and the use of toxic and chemical gases, as defined under the Geneva Conventions.

On the prospect of prosecuting Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher, who have fled abroad, Abdul Latif said Syrians are waiting for justice but warned that building legally sound cases will take time.

“Nothing is achieved easily,” he said.

Broad accountability

The commission is preparing to establish committees, compile case files, and refer them to the judiciary for the issuance of arrest warrants.Abdul Latif said it would work with international bodies to ensure justice and support for victims. Accountability will span both Hafez al-Assad and his son, covering 54 years of rule.

Abdul Latif said it would be “unethical” to ignore crimes under Hafez al-Assad, including the 1982 Hama massacre, as well as killings in Jisr al-Shughour, Aleppo’s Masharqa neighborhood, and abuses in Tadmor prison.

He said residents of Hama have asked whether the commission will address the largely overlooked massacres of the 1980s. “The commission will listen to all,” he said.

Focus on past crimes

The process will cover the period before Dec. 8, as stipulated in the decree. “Transitional justice addresses past crimes,” Abdul Latif said, noting that current violations fall under the transitional government’s ministries of defense, interior, and justice.

While the commission is not directly responsible for those cases, he did not rule out a role where relevant.

On crimes committed by non-Syrian armed groups before the regime’s fall, Abdul Latif said the decree targets violations by the former regime. However, any Syrian harmed by any group can file a complaint with the commission, which will review it.

Building the commission

Since mid-May, the commission has received about 120 applications. Fifteen will be selected to join the council alongside the chairman, bringing the total to 16 members.

Other applicants will be assigned to specialized teams supporting committee work, with victims at the center of the commission’s mandate.

Abdul Latif said he has met representatives from more than 20 countries and around 30 local and international civil society organizations in recent weeks. Discussions have focused on creating a compensation fund under Syrian sovereignty with international support, given the scale of destruction and the state’s limited capacity.

He said reconstruction could form part of compensation, at least through partial repairs to damaged homes.

Syrian organizations, he added, bring significant expertise in human rights, transitional justice, and the issue of missing persons. They will form a second pillar of the commission’s work, alongside a third made up of legal academics and historians tasked with documenting violations and preserving national memory.

Complaints mechanism

The commission is preparing to launch an online platform and dedicated phone lines to receive complaints, alongside a witness protection program.

Cases will be reviewed by specialized committees, including a truth-seeking body tasked with gathering evidence and building case files.

Drawing on global experience, Abdul Latif said some countries prioritized reconciliation while others focused on accountability.

Syria, he said, will pursue both tracks in parallel to ensure justice and pave the way for national reconciliation.

Globally, such processes have taken five to eight years. Syria’s decree sets a five-year mandate, with the possibility of extension.

“We hope to complete the work within five years,” Abdul Latif said.

Arab World

Hamas Revives Momentum for Political Bureau Chief Election

Hamas leaders, from right: Rawhi Mushtaha, Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh, all of whom were assassinated, and Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya (file photo, Hamas media)
Hamas leaders, from right: Rawhi Mushtaha, Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh, all of whom were assassinated, and Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya (file photo, Hamas media)
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Hamas Revives Momentum for Political Bureau Chief Election

Hamas leaders, from right: Rawhi Mushtaha, Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh, all of whom were assassinated, and Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya (file photo, Hamas media)
Hamas leaders, from right: Rawhi Mushtaha, Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh, all of whom were assassinated, and Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya (file photo, Hamas media)

Two sources in the Palestinian group Hamas said on Wednesday that the movement has resumed the process of electing a new head of its political bureau, pending the full selection of its members.

The move restores momentum to the leadership race after it stalled at least twice in January and February.

A source inside Gaza told Asharq Al-Awsat that “conditions that had been hindering the elections have been resolved,” opening the way for the process to restart.

He said some of those conditions were linked to internal organizational disputes in the enclave, adding that once settled, the decision was made to resume the process, alongside external political and security factors and ongoing negotiations.

Hamas faces its most severe crisis since its founding in 1987, after Israeli strikes launched in response to the Oct. 7, 2023, attack hit multiple wings and levels of the group, triggering organizational and financial strains.

Estimates suggest Khaled Meshaal, head of the political bureau abroad, and Khalil al-Hayya, head of the political bureau in Gaza, are the leading contenders.

Observers and figures inside and outside Hamas say al-Hayya is backed by members in Gaza and the Qassam Brigades, while Meshaal has stronger support in the West Bank and abroad.

A source outside Gaza said the vote will take place across all accessible arenas, inside Gaza, the West Bank and abroad, depending on conditions, with a decision expected soon.

For about a year and a half, a leadership council has been managing Hamas affairs.

At the start of this year, a new push began to elect a leader for the remainder of the current political bureau’s term, originally due to end in 2025 and extended by one year, pending broader elections expected at the end of this year or early next year.

An attempt to hold the vote in mid-February was disrupted by the US-Israeli war on Iran, sources said at the time.

The vote will be limited to selecting a new political bureau chief to lead Hamas inside and outside the territories. Full elections for the bureau are not expected before the end of this year or early 2027.

The current leadership council, which includes Hamas leaders in Gaza, the West Bank and abroad, along with the movement’s secretary-general, and is headed by Shura Council chief Mohammed Darwish, will become an advisory body overseeing the group’s internal and external affairs.