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Tunisia Likely to Establish National Unity Government

Tunisian parliament (File photo: AFP)
Tunisian parliament (File photo: AFP)
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Tunisia Likely to Establish National Unity Government

Tunisian parliament (File photo: AFP)
Tunisian parliament (File photo: AFP)

Tunisian President Kais Saied has held a series of consultations with parliamentary blocs to form a new government, which will most likely bring together the country’s different factions.

The national unity cabinet will include Ennahda Movement which several parties had sought to marginalize by rejecting to give their vote of confidence to a government led by its candidate for the premiership, Habib Jamali.

Jamali formed a government of independent figures with no links to the political parties that had won the parliamentary elections. But his line-up did not receive the support of a number of political parties.

Speaker Rachid Ghannouchi called on Ennahda to adopt dialogue with different factions to overcome historic differences that do not serve any political party.

Ghannouchi was speaking during the inauguration of Ennahda’s fourth youth conference.

Saied is expected to decide on the new Prime Minister-designate after meetings that included Hakim Ben Hammouda and Fadhel Abdelkef, both of whom are supported and nominated by a number of parliamentary blocs.

Observers believe the ongoing meetings indicate that the competition for the premiership has been limited to Ben Hammouda and Abdelkefi, two experts on the economy, which will be the next government’s top priority.

They assert the President may back Ben Hammouda to form the cabinet, while keeping all other options open.

Ben Hammouda revealed he presented his vision for the government program, pointing out that the main challenge in Tunisia is to rebuild the social contract.

He reviewed six major transformations through which the social contract can be reconstructed, stressing the importance of setting active policies to limit marginalization and poverty, and restore hope for Tunisians.

Abdelkefi was named by Jamali to assume the Ministry of Development, Investment and International Cooperation (MDICI) in the government that failed to win the parliamentary vote of confidence. He also assumed the same post in the government of former Prime Minister Youssef Chahed

The President also met with Elyes Fakhfakh, candidate of the Democratic Current, led by Mohamed Abbou, and Tahya Tounes, led by Chahed. 

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Clashes Erupt between Local Factions, Armed Tribal Groups in Syria’s Suwayda

Scenes of normal life in the town of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya (SANA)
Scenes of normal life in the town of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya (SANA)
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Clashes Erupt between Local Factions, Armed Tribal Groups in Syria’s Suwayda

Scenes of normal life in the town of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya (SANA)
Scenes of normal life in the town of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya (SANA)

Intense clashes erupted in southern Syria between local factions in Suwayda province and armed tribal groups from the surrounding countryside, stoking fears of renewed sectarian violence between communities in Suwayda and neighboring Daraa.

The fighting broke out in the western countryside of Suwayda, just a day after Druze religious leaders and community elders announced the start of an agreement intended to bring stability to the area. Conflicting reports have emerged about the reasons behind the escalation.

Local Telegram channels reported what they called a “military escalation” as armed Bedouin groups, described as “outlaws,” were accused of attempting to break a siege around Bedouin-inhabited villages in the western countryside. Mortar exchanges and machine gun fire were reported between the two sides.

In particular, the village of Al-Dara, home to Bedouin tribes, was reportedly shelled from the nearby town of Al-Thaala. In response, tribal fighters launched a counteroffensive, leading to clashes that involved the use of heavy weaponry.

The independent news outlet Suwayda 24 reported that Al-Thaala itself came under attack from unknown groups firing mortars and machine guns from the western outskirts of the town. The incident triggered a gun battle between local defenders and the attackers.

Rumors further fueled tensions, with some claiming that local factions attempted to destroy a mosque and targeted civilian neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Al-Rasid, another outlet covering Suwayda, noted a sharp increase in provocative videos and audio messages alleging that Suwayda factions were besieging tribal areas and setting fire to mosques.

Officials have denied these claims. Religious leaders reaffirmed that mosques remained protected by local factions. Despite this, armed groups from eastern Daraa, reportedly not locals, began shelling Suwayda villages.

Sources in Daraa told Suwayda 24 that these groups, arriving on motorcycles and in vehicles equipped with mortars and heavy weapons, have been trying to provoke unrest for days. Videos and messages circulated on WhatsApp were allegedly aimed at inciting local communities.

The clashes have already had humanitarian consequences. Mortar attacks on villages including Haran, Al-Thaala, Rasas, and Ara resulted in the death of one civilian and injuries to eight others. Dozens of families, particularly women and children, have fled to safer areas.

Local sources say the violence is a deliberate attempt to sow discord between the Druze and tribal communities. They urged residents of both Suwayda and Daraa to resist incitement and work together to de-escalate the situation.

Meanwhile, Syria’s Interior Ministry announced the release of 22 detainees from the towns of Sahnaya and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya in Damascus Countryside, stating they were not involved in bloodshed during recent unrest.

Separately, the Israeli military announced it had raided and destroyed a former Syrian regime command post on Mount Hermon. Israeli forces reportedly uncovered weapons caches and military infrastructure during the operation and seized the materials.