Russia Mediates Between 5th Legion, Syrian Regime in Daraa Following Clashes

A regime checkpoint after clashes in Daraa. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A regime checkpoint after clashes in Daraa. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Russia Mediates Between 5th Legion, Syrian Regime in Daraa Following Clashes

A regime checkpoint after clashes in Daraa. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A regime checkpoint after clashes in Daraa. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

A Russian delegation met with members and leaders of the Fifth Legion in Daraa in southern Syria in an attempt to ease tensions with the regime.

Two members of the Legion were killed when they attacked a regime state security checkpoint in Daraa’s Mhajjah. The attack was prompted when security forces at the checkpoint assaulted a local, who is affiliated with the Russian unit.

The Fifth Legion is backed by the Russian air base in Hmeimim. Tensions have been high between the Russian unit and the 4th Armored Division commanded by Maher Assad, president Bashar Assad’s brother.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Russian forces soon intervened to end the clashes, sending a military convoy and Russian members of the Legion from Basra al-Sham east of Daraa to Mhajjah where its members were surrounded by regime forces. The regime, in turn, had brought in military reinforcements to Mhajjah in wake of the clashes.

The fighting ended with Russia’s intervention. The Legion was allowed to take away its dead members and three others received medical treatment.

The sources said that tensions prevailed throughout regions where the victims hailed from and where the regime members are deployed. This forced the regime to quit checkpoints in these areas. They were replaced by Legion members.



Clerics Accuse West Bank Israeli Settlers of Attacking Christian Sites

Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
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Clerics Accuse West Bank Israeli Settlers of Attacking Christian Sites

Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)
Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa walks during the visit of the town of Taybeh, a Christian village in the Israeli-Occupied West Bank, following settler attacks, July 14, 2025. (Reuters)

Christian leaders accused Israeli settlers on Monday of attacking sacred sites in the West Bank, in violence that one said was forcing some to consider quitting the occupied territory.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III - visiting the Christian town of Taybeh with other Jerusalem-based clerics - said settlers had started a fire near a cemetery and a 5th century church there last week.

"These actions are a direct and intentional threat to our local community ... but also to the historic and religious heritage," the patriarch told diplomats and journalists at a press conference in Taybeh.

Settlers had also attacked homes in the area, he said.

"We call for an immediate and transparent investigation on why the Israeli police did not respond to emergency calls from the local community and why these abhorrent actions continue to go unpunished," he added.

Israel's government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Israel's government had previously said that any acts of violence by civilians are unacceptable and that individuals should not take the law into their own hands.

During the visit, the heads of the churches led locals in prayer as candles flickered in the ruins of the 5th century church of St George. They spoke with residents who described their fears.

B'Tselem and other rights groups say settler violence in the West Bank has risen since the start of Israel's war against Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza in late 2023.

Dozens of Israelis have also been killed in Palestinian street attacks in recent years and the Israeli military has intensified raids across the West Bank.

Palestinian health authorities and witnesses said two men, including a US citizen, were killed by settlers during a confrontation on Friday night.

Fears over violence were pushing Christians to leave the West Bank, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Roman Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem since 2020, said.

"Unfortunately, the temptation to emigrate is there because of the situation," he added. "This time it's very difficult to see how and when this will finish, and especially for the youth to talk about hope, trust for the future."

Around 50,000 Christian Palestinians live in Jerusalem and in the West Bank, an area that includes many of the faith's most sacred sites including Bethlehem where believers say Jesus was born.

Around 700,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.7 million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, territories Israel captured from Jordan in the 1967 war, which Palestinians see as part of a future state.