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Arab World

East Med Forum Kicks Off in Cairo as Israeli Gas Starts Flowing to Egypt

Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz (L), Greece's Energy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis (2nd-L), Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek el-Molla (R) and Cypriot Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis (2nd-R) attend the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), in Cairo, on January 16, 2020. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)
Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz (L), Greece's Energy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis (2nd-L), Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek el-Molla (R) and Cypriot Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis (2nd-R) attend the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), in Cairo, on January 16, 2020. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)
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East Med Forum Kicks Off in Cairo as Israeli Gas Starts Flowing to Egypt

Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz (L), Greece's Energy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis (2nd-L), Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek el-Molla (R) and Cypriot Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis (2nd-R) attend the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), in Cairo, on January 16, 2020. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)
Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz (L), Greece's Energy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis (2nd-L), Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek el-Molla (R) and Cypriot Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotrypis (2nd-R) attend the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), in Cairo, on January 16, 2020. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)

Seven countries have agreed on practical steps to set the foundation charter for the East Med Gas Forum, taking EMGF a step closer to becoming an international organization based in Cairo.

The move by Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Palestine and Egypt was made at a ministerial meeting held in Egypt Thursday.

On Jan. 14, 2019, the seven Mediterranean states agreed to set up the forum to create a regional gas market based on international law.

“The seven countries have implemented a clear roadmap that contributes to finishing the foundation framework for the official launch of the forum," Egyptian Petroleum Minister Tarek el-Molla said Thursday.

A petroleum ministry statement said the organization aims to "create a regional gas market that serves the interests of its members by ensuring supply and demand, optimizing resources development, rationalizing the cost of infrastructure, offering competitive prices and improving trade relations.”

France has asked to join the Forum, which aims to develop the region’s gas market, the petroleum ministry said.

It added that the United States has too asked to become a permanent observer.

Cypriot Energy Minister Yiorgos Lakkotryp said that during the forum, the World Bank would present a study on the options for Eastern Mediterranean gas exploration.

The signing of the East Med Gas Forum charter came as Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz and his Egyptian counterpart have announced the flow of natural gas from Israel to Egypt.

The Egyptian petroleum ministry said the step "represents an important development that serves the economic interests for both countries.”

The statement confirmed that the flow of natural gas to Egypt would also enable its export to Europe via liquefied natural gas terminals in the country.

Steinitz also announced “the start of the most significant cooperation ever between Israel and Egypt, in energy and the economy.”

Egypt plans to become a regional energy hub.

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Arab World

Algeria Says Niger Accepted Mediation Offer

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (dpa)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (dpa)
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Algeria Says Niger Accepted Mediation Offer

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (dpa)
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune (dpa)

Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf is preparing to visit Niamey, the capital of Niger, to discuss the arrangements for the Algerian mediation in the country’s crisis, according to Algeria’s foreign ministry.

Niger has accepted an Algerian offer to mediate in its political crisis, the ministry said.

Algeria received Niger's official notification of its acceptance of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's mediation initiative, the ministry added in a statement read out on national television.

Algiers said: "The acceptance of the Algerian initiative strengthens the prospect of a political solution to this crisis".

The mediation would "pave the way" towards a "peaceful" resolution of the crisis, it added, saying such an outcome is in the interest "of the entire region".

Tebboune said Attaf will be "visiting Niamey as soon as possible with the aim of launching discussions ... with all stakeholders".

On August 23, Attaf was mandated by Tebboune to go on a diplomatic tour to Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana, which form part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to help find a solution to the crisis in Niger.

Following the coup in Niger, Algeria announced its rejection of any military intervention and stressed the necessity to return to legitimacy.

Algeria shares a 1,000-km southern land border with Niger. The border is considered a haven for extremist Islamist groups, drugs and weapons traffickers, and networks to smuggle illegal migrants to north Algeria to go from there to the European shores.

At the end of August, Algeria proposed a six-month transitional period led by a civilian to solve the crisis in Niger. However, Niger's junta leader General Abdourahmane Tiani said the country will pursue a transition process which will last not more than three years.

The Algerian FM added that the two envoys to Algeria - whether the ambassador in Niamey or the Secretary General of the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Lounes Magramane - didn’t meet the ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum.

Attaf didn’t reveal if Bazoum would be part of the solution according to the mediation plan.

Professor of political science and international relations and Sahel affairs expert, Algerian Mohamed Abdelly, said Algeria’s plan to resolve the conflict can achieve unanimity among all parties.

Yet, he remarked that the six-month plan offers a short period that isn’t enough to resolve the current disputes.

Arab World

Tunisia Rejects EU Financial Aid, Casting Doubt on an Immigration Deal 

Italian Coast Guard personnel prepare to tow boats used to carry migrants, near the port of the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. (LaPresse via AP))
Italian Coast Guard personnel prepare to tow boats used to carry migrants, near the port of the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. (LaPresse via AP))
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Tunisia Rejects EU Financial Aid, Casting Doubt on an Immigration Deal 

Italian Coast Guard personnel prepare to tow boats used to carry migrants, near the port of the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. (LaPresse via AP))
Italian Coast Guard personnel prepare to tow boats used to carry migrants, near the port of the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, southern Italy, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. (LaPresse via AP))

Tunisian President Kais Saied on Monday rejected financial support announced by the European Union in September, saying the amount is small and goes against a deal signed three months ago.

Saied's move could undermine the "strategic partnership" from July that includes measures on combating human traffickers and tightening borders, and which came during a sharp increase in boats heading to Europe from the North African nation.

The European Commission last month said it would disburse 127 million euros ($133 million) in aid to Tunisia as part of the deal to fight illegal immigration from Africa to Europe.

"Tunisia rejects what the EU announced, not because of the small amount ... but because the proposal conflicts with the memorandum of understanding signed in July," Saied said.

The July deal included a pledge of 1 billion euros in aid to Tunisia to help its battered economy, rescue state finances and deal with the migration crisis.

The smaller amount announced by Europe 10 days ago, however, has frustrated Tunisian authorities struggling to improve public finances and raised fears among credit rating agencies that the government could default on foreign debts in coming months.

The dispute between the two parties has coincided with the arrival of record numbers of migrants from Tunisia and North Africa to Italy's island of Lampedusa.

Tunisia last week postponed a visit by a delegation from the European Commission to discuss the details of the migration agreement.

Last month it also denied the entry of five members of the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee for meetings over the political situation in Tunisia, saying it would not allow interference in its affairs.

Arab World

UN Envoy Calls for a 'Unified Mechanism' to Lead Reconstruction of Libya's Flood-wrecked City

A view shows the destruction, in the aftermath of the floods in Derna, Libya September 30, 2023. (Reuters)
A view shows the destruction, in the aftermath of the floods in Derna, Libya September 30, 2023. (Reuters)
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UN Envoy Calls for a 'Unified Mechanism' to Lead Reconstruction of Libya's Flood-wrecked City

A view shows the destruction, in the aftermath of the floods in Derna, Libya September 30, 2023. (Reuters)
A view shows the destruction, in the aftermath of the floods in Derna, Libya September 30, 2023. (Reuters)

The United Nations’ top official in divided Libya on Monday called for a unified mechanism to lead the reconstruction of a coastal city that was wrecked by devastating floods last month.
UN Special Envoy for Libya Abdoulaye Bathily said in a statement that such a mechanism is required amid “unilateral and competing initiatives” by Libyan actors and institutions on the reconstruction of the Mediterranean city of Derna and other flood-impacted areas.
Devastating rainfall and floods, triggered by Mediterranean Storm Danial, hit parts of eastern Libya last month. The floods overwhelmed two depleted dams outside Derna on Sep. 11, causing massive waters that washed away residential buildings to the sea and left as much as one-third of Derna’s housing and infrastructure damaged, according to the UN’s Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Government officials and aid agencies have given estimated death tolls ranging from more than 4,000 to over 11,000. The bodies of many of the people killed still are under rubble or in the Mediterranean, according to search teams.
As Libya remains divided, with two rival administrations claiming legitimacy and each wanting to oversee the reconstruction of Derna, Bathily called for “a unified national mechanism ... required to effectively and efficiently take forward the reconstruction efforts in the flood-affected areas”, The Associated Press said.
He urged Libyan rival authorities and their international partners to facilitate the establishment of the unified mechanism to ensure “transparency and accountability.”
Following the disaster, many in and outside Libya called for an international investigation, reflecting the deep public mistrust in state institutions. The two dams had not been maintained for decades despite repeated warnings that they were depleted.
Bathily’s call for a unified mechanism quickly gained support from the US, the UK, France, Germany, and Italy.
The five governments said in a joint statement that they “strongly support” a proposal to “deliver transparent and accountable relief and response to the reconstruction needs in the wake of the flood disaster.”
The oil-rich North African nation has been in chaos since 2011, when an Arab Spring uprising, backed by NATO, ousted Moammar Gadhafi, who was later killed. For most of the past decade, rival administrations have claimed authority to lead Libya.
The country’s east and south have been under the control of Gen. Khalifa Hafter and his self-styled Libyan National Army, which is allied with a parliament-confirmed government. A rival administration is based in the capital, Tripoli, and enjoys the support of most of the international community.

Arab World

Two Syrian Soldiers Injured in Israeli Air Attack on Army Sites in Deir al Zor

Israeli previous strike on Syria (File- Reuters)
Israeli previous strike on Syria (File- Reuters)
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Two Syrian Soldiers Injured in Israeli Air Attack on Army Sites in Deir al Zor

Israeli previous strike on Syria (File- Reuters)
Israeli previous strike on Syria (File- Reuters)

Two soldiers were injured following an Israeli air attack on Syrian armed forces posts in the vicinity of Syria's eastern Deir al Zor province on Monday, Syrian state media said early on Tuesday, citing a military source.
"At about 23:50 p.m. on Oct. 2, the Israeli enemy launched an air attack on some of our armed forces’ sites in the vicinity of Deir al Zor, and the aggression led to the injury of two soldiers and some material losses," the source said.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army, Reuters said.
Israel has for years been carrying out attacks against what it has described as Iran-linked targets in Syria, where Tehran's influence has grown since it began supporting President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war that started in 2011.
Hundreds of thousands of people have died and millions have been made homeless since protests against Assad in 2011 developed into a civil war that drew in foreign powers and left Syria carved into zones of control.

Arab World

Egypt’s Sisi Confirms Candidacy for Presidential Elections

A school boy walks near an election campaign bus for Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi adorned with his image, his slogan "long live Egypt", and C-shaped balloons, as Sisi's supporters prepare for a rally in Giza, the twin-city of the Egyptian capital, on October 2, 2023. (AFP)
A school boy walks near an election campaign bus for Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi adorned with his image, his slogan "long live Egypt", and C-shaped balloons, as Sisi's supporters prepare for a rally in Giza, the twin-city of the Egyptian capital, on October 2, 2023. (AFP)
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Egypt’s Sisi Confirms Candidacy for Presidential Elections

A school boy walks near an election campaign bus for Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi adorned with his image, his slogan "long live Egypt", and C-shaped balloons, as Sisi's supporters prepare for a rally in Giza, the twin-city of the Egyptian capital, on October 2, 2023. (AFP)
A school boy walks near an election campaign bus for Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi adorned with his image, his slogan "long live Egypt", and C-shaped balloons, as Sisi's supporters prepare for a rally in Giza, the twin-city of the Egyptian capital, on October 2, 2023. (AFP)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi confirmed on Monday that he will stand for a third term in office in an election in December.

"Just as I responded to the call of the Egyptians before, today I respond to their call again," Sisi said in a closing speech for a three-day event that promoted policies under his rule at a new capital being built in the desert outside Cairo.

"We are on the cusp of our new republic, which seeks to complete the process of the state's survival and rebuild it on the foundations of modernity and democracy," he said.

Sisi, a former army chief who has been president since 2014, had been widely expected to run again and secure a third term after constitutional amendments four years ago that would allow him to stay in office until 2030.

In recent weeks, supporters have mounted a campaign using billboards and public messages urging him to stand in the Dec. 10-12 poll.

Sisi came to power after the ouster of Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013. He was announced winner of presidential elections in 2014 and 2018.

The election comes as Egypt is struggling with an economic crisis that has seen record inflation and a chronic foreign currency shortage.

Arab World

Iraq Rejects Turkish Strikes in Kurdistan Region, Seeks Resolution 

A man waves an Iraqi national flag as protesters gather in Baghdad's Tahrir square to mark the 4th anniversary of the 2019 anti-government demonstrations on October 1, 2023. (AFP)
A man waves an Iraqi national flag as protesters gather in Baghdad's Tahrir square to mark the 4th anniversary of the 2019 anti-government demonstrations on October 1, 2023. (AFP)
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Iraq Rejects Turkish Strikes in Kurdistan Region, Seeks Resolution 

A man waves an Iraqi national flag as protesters gather in Baghdad's Tahrir square to mark the 4th anniversary of the 2019 anti-government demonstrations on October 1, 2023. (AFP)
A man waves an Iraqi national flag as protesters gather in Baghdad's Tahrir square to mark the 4th anniversary of the 2019 anti-government demonstrations on October 1, 2023. (AFP)

Iraq rejects repeated Turkish air strikes or the presence of Turkish bases in its Kurdistan region and hopes to come to an agreement with Ankara to solve this problem, Iraqi President Abdul-Latif Rashid said in comments aired on Monday.

Türkiye said on Sunday it carried out air strikes in northern Iraq that destroyed 20 targets belonging to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) after the militant group said it orchestrated the first bomb attack in Ankara in years.

Türkiye regards the PKK as a terrorist group and regularly carries out air strikes in northern Iraq, which has long been outside the direct control of the Baghdad government.

Türkiye has also has sent commandos and set up military bases on Iraqi territory to support its offensives.

"These violations are rejected by the Iraqi people, the (Kurdistan) region and all of Iraq's inhabitants," Rashid said in an interview with broadcaster Al-Hadath, a short clip of which was aired on Monday.

It was not clear whether the interview was filmed before or after Sunday's Turkish air strikes.

Rashid said such strikes sometimes killed civilians, including people visiting the region who "become victims of Turkish bombing."

Türkiye has denied targeting civilians and says it works to avoid civilian casualties through its coordination with Iraqi authorities.

Rashid is a member of the Iraqi Kurdish PUK party that has close ties to Iran and has criticized Türkiye’s strikes in Iraq's north.

Rashid said Baghdad hoped to come to an agreement with Ankara to resolve the issue in a manner similar to a security agreement Iraq has inked with Iran to deal with Iranian Kurdish separatist groups in the Kurdistan region.

Arab World

Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces Seize Military Base in Kordofan

Generals Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. (AFP)
Generals Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. (AFP)
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Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces Seize Military Base in Kordofan

Generals Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. (AFP)
Generals Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. (AFP)

Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council and army commander General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were implicated in the violent dispersal of civil sit-ins at the General Command four years ago.

Burhan’s statement created controversy in political circles and on social media as it was the first time he had addressed the incident that left hundreds of civilians dead and injured.

Meanwhile, the RSF captured a city in the Kordofan region, announcing in a statement on the X platform that they had seized the Wad Ashana Garrison in North Kordofan State from an extremist militia linked to the army and loyalists from the ousted regime.

The garrison was the last remaining border outpost with White Nile State.

The RSF confiscated 12 fully equipped combat vehicles during the operation, including a 12-barrel Katyusha rocket launcher and numerous other weapons and ammunition.

The capture of the Wad Ashana Garrison provides a further strategic advantage to the RSF. It opens the path to progress toward Kosti in the White Nile and other areas.

“This achievement is instrumental in our mission to neutralize the former regime and its extremist affiliates,” it said.

Ending the war

Meanwhile, Burhan toured northern cities on Sunday, starting with Dongola, the capital of North State, where he checked on military operation casualties and patients undergoing kidney dialysis at the military hospital.

He met military leaders, artillery officers, and state government officials, stressing that the armed forces are committed to ending the war peacefully or through continued conflict.

He stated that the eruption of the war on April 15 was driven by the personal ambitions of certain individuals who want to seize control of the state – a possible reference to RSF commander Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo and his brother Abdul Rahim.

Burhan highlighted serious RSF violations against citizens, including theft, property damage, widespread destruction, and destruction of state institutions and infrastructure.

The chairman denounced the deceptive and false narrative promoted by the RSF, confirming its involvement in the dispersal of the sit-ins at the General Command and their oppression of the protesters.

In June 2019, forces in military and civilian attire violently attacked thousands of protesters in front of the army headquarters in central Khartoum, resulting in numerous civilian casualties without intervention from the army to protect them.

Resigned Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok had formed an independent committee to investigate the unrest, with several current high-ranking army officials and the commander of the RSF called to testify.

However, the military coup, staged by the army and RSF on October 25, 2021, which overthrew the transitional government, hindered the probe.

Arab World

Libya on Alert for Possible Flooding in South

Derna city was left devastated in wake of the deadly flooding from Storm Daniel. (Reuters)
Derna city was left devastated in wake of the deadly flooding from Storm Daniel. (Reuters)
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Libya on Alert for Possible Flooding in South

Derna city was left devastated in wake of the deadly flooding from Storm Daniel. (Reuters)
Derna city was left devastated in wake of the deadly flooding from Storm Daniel. (Reuters)

Interior Minister in Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) Imad Trabelsi issued on Sunday an order to evacuate all homes near valleys and lowland areas in the southwestern Ghat region in anticipation of possible flash floods as heavy rain was predicted in the area.

Head of the Government Emergency and Rapid Response Team and Minister of Local Government Badr Al-Din Al-Toumi had ordered public services, water and sanitation companies and the National Safety Authority to move to the city of Ghat and take the necessary precautions to avoid any damage that may result from rainfall and valley flooding, said the government Hakomitna e-platform said on its Facebook page.

Al-Ahrar TV said the media director of the National Meteorological Center warned that the nation's threat level was raised to medium risk (orange) in the southwest after an increase in thunderstorms. The official urged residents to remain cautious.

Meanwhile, head of the GNU Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah announced precautionary measures in anticipation of any emergency.

He directed Toumi to communicate with the mayors of municipalities in Ghat and nearby areas to follow up on any incidents that may result from the rainfall.

He also tasked him with taking the necessary precautions to prevent any power and communication outages.

Storm Daniel, the Mediterranean cyclone that hit eastern Libya last month, led to flooding that killed thousands of people, swept away entire neighborhoods and devastated infrastructure.

Arab World

Israel Activates Economic Measures In Favor of Palestinian Authority

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh unveils the cornerstone for the Palestine wheat silos project in the village of Burham. (Wafa)
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh unveils the cornerstone for the Palestine wheat silos project in the village of Burham. (Wafa)
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Israel Activates Economic Measures In Favor of Palestinian Authority

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh unveils the cornerstone for the Palestine wheat silos project in the village of Burham. (Wafa)
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh unveils the cornerstone for the Palestine wheat silos project in the village of Burham. (Wafa)

The Israeli government began to offer a number of economic facilities to the Palestinian Authority, lately approved under heavy pressure from Washington.

Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported on Sunday that Israel has recently slashed the gasoline tax it had been collecting from the Palestinian Authority by 50%, and has taken other measures to ease the financial situation in Ramallah.

Israeli authorities decided to collect a 1.5% gasoline tax instead of 3% from the PA, a measure that will save the Authority some 80 million shekels ($20 million) on an annual basis, according to the newspaper.

In 2023, the Israeli cabinet had taken other steps to support the Palestinian Authority's economy. These efforts include increased tax payments in favor of the PA, which now average 730 million shekels per month, compared to around half a million three years ago.

Early this year, the cabinet had announced it approved lowering the so-called “blue tax” that it levies from the PA on fuel transfers from three percent to 1.5%; raising the percentage of revenues it transfers to Ramallah from the fees it collects from travelers at the Allenby border crossing between the West Bank and Jordan; and expanding the list of tax-free imports that it facilitates on the PA’s behalf.

The Israeli government has only implemented the preliminary measures, while it said the list of tax-free imports will be updated later through the Israeli-Palestinian Joint Economic Committee.

The Committee was established under the Oslo Accords, with an aim to regulate the economic relations between Israel and the PA.

It has not convened since 2009, as a result of the political tension between the parties

The PA demands that Israel implements all three measures. Israel had previously refused, but lately accepted under ongoing pressure from the administration of US President Joe Biden.

Israeli officials said that Israeli far-right ministers, like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who oversees the Tax Authority and the Civil Administration in Israel, also approved this decision. They said the move aligns with the Biden administration's call to improve the economic situation in the Palestinian Authority, which is believed to be on the brink of economic collapse.

The three measures could add millions of dollars to the coffers of the PA, currently going through a deteriorating financial crisis, the worst since its establishment.

For the second consecutive year, the Palestinian Authority is paying partial salaries to most of its employees due to the crisis.

Last July, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet decided that Israel would work to prevent the collapse of the PA.

The Israeli government withholds huge amounts of money in tax revenues on the PA’s behalf and hands them to the families of Israelis killed in Palestinian attacks.

Arab World

Conflicting Reports About Explosions Targeting Iranian Militias West Damascus

Security men inspect the site of the Israeli attack that targeted Iranian offices in Damascus last February (AP)
Security men inspect the site of the Israeli attack that targeted Iranian offices in Damascus last February (AP)
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Conflicting Reports About Explosions Targeting Iranian Militias West Damascus

Security men inspect the site of the Israeli attack that targeted Iranian offices in Damascus last February (AP)
Security men inspect the site of the Israeli attack that targeted Iranian offices in Damascus last February (AP)

Violent explosions were heard Sunday in al-Assad village, west of Damascus, where Iranian militia headquarters are said to be located, according to conflicting reports.

The nature of the explosions remains unclear, and some reports suggest that they targeted a building affiliated with the Fourth Division and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), resulting in two non-Syrian casualties.

Other reports imply an Israeli airstrike aimed at a structure associated with the Lebanese Hezbollah.

Various Syrian online platforms and activists have reported hearing explosions in the area of the al-Assad village under the influence of the Fourth Division led by Maher al-Assad, President Bashar’s brother.

The area hosts headquarters, barracks, and arms depots for the division, Iranian militias, and Hezbollah.

Until this report, no official military statement has been released from Damascus regarding the explosions.

Local sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that at least three explosions were heard around midnight on Saturday into Sunday. However, it is speculated that these explosions might not have resulted from Israeli missile attacks.

They indicated that typically, missile strikes are much louder than what was heard, and no sounds of aerial defenses countering Israeli missiles were reported, noting a significant presence of Iranian militia members and Hezbollah in the area.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) confirmed hearing three explosions shortly after midnight, around 1:20 AM, in a building belonging to the Fourth Division and IRGC beside al-Hamzah Mosque in al-Assad villages.

The initial information indicates that the explosions resulted in the death of two persons of unknown nationality in the building and significant material damage.

Later, SOHR Directory Rami Abdul Rahman said that the targeted building could be a storehouse or a transit point towards the Syrian-Lebanese border used for transporting precision weapons.

The building is located approximately nine kilometers from the Syrian-Lebanese border between al-Assad villages and Dimas, affiliated with Hezbollah and the Quds Force of the IRGC.

Rahman said in a televised interview that the three explosions in the building led to two casualties of non-Syrian nationality, pointing out there seems to be a media blackout by the regime.

He noted that the targeting or explosions might result from an Israeli intelligence operation, with no anti-aircraft missiles launched by the regime’s defenses in response.

The “Damascus Sound” news website reported that Israeli warplanes attacked a building affiliated with Hezbollah near the al-Assad villages.

The website cites eyewitnesses saying that four explosions were heard in the vicinity, followed by rising smoke near the Hamzah Mosque.

The website quoted “special” sources saying the targeted building was reportedly used for logistical and security coordination to transport weapons between Syria and Lebanon.

The sources indicated that the airstrike destroyed the building, housing a shipment of Iranian weapons being prepared for transport into Lebanon.

The website mentioned it could not verify the exact extent of losses or whether there were casualties or injuries during the attack. It noted that no official statements had been issued, and no anti-aircraft defense systems were activated in the area.

Last August, blasts were heard in West Damascus, and reports were also conflicting regarding the nature of the explosions.

Back then, official media outlets reported on the sounds of explosions.

State-owned Sana stated that the “cause was not clear” and that an investigation was underway regarding the nature of these explosions. As customary, no official military statement was released regarding the August explosions.