More Iran-backed Fighters Killed in 2nd Syria Raid in 24 Hours

A bus drives on a road near Quneitra at the Syrian side of the Israeli Syrian border as it is seen from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israel July 21, 2018. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
A bus drives on a road near Quneitra at the Syrian side of the Israeli Syrian border as it is seen from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israel July 21, 2018. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
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More Iran-backed Fighters Killed in 2nd Syria Raid in 24 Hours

A bus drives on a road near Quneitra at the Syrian side of the Israeli Syrian border as it is seen from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israel July 21, 2018. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun
A bus drives on a road near Quneitra at the Syrian side of the Israeli Syrian border as it is seen from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israel July 21, 2018. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Airstrikes targeting positions of Iran-backed militias in eastern Syria killed nine fighters Sunday in the second such raid in 24 hours, The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The war monitor said Israel was "likely responsible" for the strikes near the Iraqi border, which came hours after a similar raid killed six other Tehran-backed fighters, raising the toll to 15 killed in 24 hours.

The fighters killed in the early Sunday raids were mostly Iraqi nationals, according to Observatory head Rami Abdul Rahman.

Israel has launched hundreds of strikes in Syria since the start of the war in 2011.

It has targeted government troops, allied Iranian forces and fighters from Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

It rarely confirms details of its operations in Syria, but says Iran's presence in support of regime head Bashar al-Assad is a threat and that it will continue its strikes.

On Saturday, airstrikes also blamed on Israel hit positions belonging to regime forces and Iran-backed militias near the border with Iraq, the Observatory said.

Four Syrian nationals were among the six fighters killed in that attack, the monitor added.

Saturday's raids came only days after Israeli strikes in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor and the southern province of Suweida killed seven fighters, including two Syrian soldiers, according to the Observatory.



Irregular Migration into EU Drops Sharply in 2024, EU Border Agency Says

Migrants wait after a boat carrying 23 people arrived at the port of La Restinga, in the municipality of El Pinar, on the island of El Hierro, Spain, 13 January 2025, where they have been attended to by emergency teams. (EPA)
Migrants wait after a boat carrying 23 people arrived at the port of La Restinga, in the municipality of El Pinar, on the island of El Hierro, Spain, 13 January 2025, where they have been attended to by emergency teams. (EPA)
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Irregular Migration into EU Drops Sharply in 2024, EU Border Agency Says

Migrants wait after a boat carrying 23 people arrived at the port of La Restinga, in the municipality of El Pinar, on the island of El Hierro, Spain, 13 January 2025, where they have been attended to by emergency teams. (EPA)
Migrants wait after a boat carrying 23 people arrived at the port of La Restinga, in the municipality of El Pinar, on the island of El Hierro, Spain, 13 January 2025, where they have been attended to by emergency teams. (EPA)

The number of migrants entering the European Union by irregular routes dropped overall by 38% in 2024, reaching the lowest level since 2021, the EU border agency Frontex said on Tuesday.

However, the number of people crossing from the EU's borders with Belarus and Russia jumped 192% to 17,000, Frontex said.

Significant numbers of migrants or asylum-seekers also came from Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt and African countries even as routes into the bloc shifted.

Irregular migration has become a key issue in European politics with many far-right and populist parties campaigning in recent and upcoming elections, including in Germany next month, on promises of getting tough on migration.

Frontex said the drop to just over 239,000 irregular border crossings last year was thanks to intensified EU and partner cooperation against smuggling networks. It was the lowest level since 2021 when migration was still affected by the COVID pandemic.

The overall reduction in irregular migration was mainly driven by a 59% plunge in arrivals via the Central Mediterranean route due to fewer departures from Tunisia and Libya and a 78% fall on the Western Balkan route thanks to strong efforts by countries in the region to stem the flow, Frontex said.

But there were 14% more cases, reaching 69,400, of irregular border crossing attempts on the Eastern Mediterranean route driven by new corridors from eastern Libya, with migrants predominantly from Syria, Afghanistan, and Egypt.

There was also an 18% rise in the number of migrants taking the Western African route to reach the Canary Islands with arrivals reaching almost 47,000 last year, fueled by departures from Mauritania.

"While 2024 saw a significant reduction in irregular border crossings, it also highlighted emerging risks and shifting dynamics," Frontex head Hans Leijtens said.