Political Blocs East of Euphrates Support Decentralization

Syria’s Tomorrow Movement leader Ahmad Jarba (Syria’s Tomorrow)
Syria’s Tomorrow Movement leader Ahmad Jarba (Syria’s Tomorrow)
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Political Blocs East of Euphrates Support Decentralization

Syria’s Tomorrow Movement leader Ahmad Jarba (Syria’s Tomorrow)
Syria’s Tomorrow Movement leader Ahmad Jarba (Syria’s Tomorrow)

Kurdish, Arab and Assyrian political blocs from Qamishli, a city in the northeastern province of Hasakah, have announced the establishment of the "Peace and Freedom Front" to ease coordination on a political solution in Syria.

The front’s statement called for the adoption of decentralization, just distribution of wealth and power, and reconsideration of the administrative demarcations currently in place.

The statement also defines the role of the army and security services, defending the country and maintaining its security, independence and territorial integrity.

The front includes the Kurdish National Council and Assyrian Democratic Organization, both of which are represented in the Syrian Negotiation Commission, in addition to Syria’s Tomorrow Movement and Arab Council in Euphrates and Al-Jazeera.

These parties are all part of the Syrian opposition, operating in the region controlled by the Kurdish-Arab Syrian Democratic Forces supported by the international coalition led by the US. The agreement was reached after two major Kurdish parties reached a preliminary settlement of their differences.

The front’s statement also makes clear that the new coalition "does not affect the persistence of any of its parties’ membership in opposition bodies; rather, its work falls within the framework of complementing their efforts" and that the front supports opposition forces and international and regional parties seeking to end the suffering of the Syrians through a comprehensive political solution through its statement.

It also affirms the front’s openness to discussion and collaboration with the parties across the Syrian opposition spectrum, in a reference to the ongoing American and French-sponsored talks between the Kurdish Council and Democratic Union Party.

Ahmed Jarba, head of Syria’s Tomorrow Movement, said: “In light of the scenes that afflict Syria and the region, we have noticed a state of political rigidity and surrender, to an extent that despair has reached its climax.”
“Through this announcement, we are breaking through the wall of despair and declare that it will resonate through deeds, not words.”

Speaking about the inclusion of Kurds, Assyrians and Arabs in the coalition, he said: “The diversity of our backgrounds and beliefs demonstrates that the unity of the Syrian people is high and none can rise above it, and that betting on singling each of us out to bring us down and subjugate us has fallen and will not rise.”

For his part, Faisal Youssef, a leader in the Kurdish National Council said: “This front was announced to reinforce coexistence between the components of the region, and (ensure) that the constitution guarantees the rights of national minorities and considers their languages and cultures to be national languages and cultures that represent Syria’s history and civilization.”

The statement, which includes 15 clauses, affirms that Syria is an independent and sovereign state, with the principle of the peaceful transfer of power through free and fair elections as its basis.

It demands constitutional ratification that Syria is a nationality-national multi-cultural and multi-religious state and emphasizes the front’s commitment to the United Nations-sponsored political process.



Israel Army Says War Plan ‘Focusing’ on Gaza City

Displaced Palestinians make their way towards the site of a humanitarian aid airdrop at the Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip, on August 17, 2025. (AFP)
Displaced Palestinians make their way towards the site of a humanitarian aid airdrop at the Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip, on August 17, 2025. (AFP)
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Israel Army Says War Plan ‘Focusing’ on Gaza City

Displaced Palestinians make their way towards the site of a humanitarian aid airdrop at the Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip, on August 17, 2025. (AFP)
Displaced Palestinians make their way towards the site of a humanitarian aid airdrop at the Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip, on August 17, 2025. (AFP)

The Israeli army's chief of staff said Sunday the military was pressing ahead with plans for the next phase of its Gaza offensive, with a focus on Gaza City.

"Today we are approving the plan for the next phase of the war," Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said during a field visit to the Palestinian territory, according to an army statement.

"We will maintain the momentum of Operation 'Gideon's Chariots' while focusing on Gaza City. We will continue to strike until the decisive defeat of Hamas," he said.

The large-scale operation in Gaza, dubbed "Gideon's Chariots" by the Israeli army, began in mid-May.

"We will continue to strike until the decisive defeat of Hamas, with the hostages always at the forefront of our minds," Zamir added.

In response Hamas said the plans would result in "a new wave of extermination and mass displacement".

The Palestinian group also condemned the proposals a "a major war crime" which it said reflected Israel's "disregard for international and humanitarian law".

Earlier this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid out his plan, approved by his security cabinet, for a new phase of operations in Gaza.

Israel has said it is preparing to take control of Gaza City and neighboring refugee camps with the stated aim of defeating Hamas and freeing the hostages kidnapped during the October 7, 2023 attack that sparked the 22-month war.

Zamir said Israel's ongoing offensive had "achieved its objectives", that "Hamas no longer possesses the same capabilities", and the military had dealt the Palestinian group a "severe blow".

"The current campaign is not a pinpoint one; it is just another layer in a long-term and planned strategy," he added.

On Friday, the army said its troops were conducting a series of operations on the outskirts of Gaza City, where residents have been reporting intense strikes and ground incursions for days.

Israel on Saturday said it was preparing "to move the population from combat zones to the southern Gaza Strip for their protection".

Hamas said Israel's statements on this, including its plans for the installation of tents in southern Gaza, were "a blatant deception to cover up the imminent massacre and forced displacement".

Israel's army radio reported on Sunday residents would be evacuated before troops encircle the Gaza City and finally seize it, beginning "in the coming weeks".

Tens of thousands of reservist soldiers would be called up for the mission, the report added.

Another 17 aid-seekers killed in Gaza

Hospitals and witnesses in Gaza said Israeli forces killed at least 17 aid-seekers on Sunday, including nine awaiting UN aid trucks close to the Morag corridor.

Hamza Asfour said he was just north of the corridor awaiting a convoy when Israeli snipers fired, first to disperse the crowds, then from tanks hundreds of meters (yards) away. He saw two people with gunshot wounds.

“It's either to take this risk or wait and see my family die of starvation,” he said.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which runs the Israeli-backed and US-supported distribution points that have become the main source of aid since they opened in May, said there was no gunfire “at or near” its sites, which are located in military-controlled areas.

Israel’s military did not immediately respond to questions.

Israel’s air and ground war has displaced most of Gaza's population and killed more than 61,900 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not specify how many were fighters or civilians but says around half were women and children.

Two children and five adults died of malnutrition-related causes Sunday, according to the ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The UN and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on casualties. Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own.

The United Nations has warned that levels of starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at their highest since the war began. Most aid has been blocked from entering Gaza since Israel imposed a total blockade in March after ending a ceasefire. Deliveries have since partially resumed, though aid organizations say the flow is far below what is needed.