Russian Army Establishes Military Base in Syria’s Ain Issa

A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) carries a weapon as he stands near a military vehicle in Raqqa, Syria. (Reuters)
A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) carries a weapon as he stands near a military vehicle in Raqqa, Syria. (Reuters)
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Russian Army Establishes Military Base in Syria’s Ain Issa

A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) carries a weapon as he stands near a military vehicle in Raqqa, Syria. (Reuters)
A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) carries a weapon as he stands near a military vehicle in Raqqa, Syria. (Reuters)

Russia police forces were deployed in new military positions in Ain Issa in Raqqa’s northern countryside, along the areas separating the Turkish army from the pro-regime Syrian factions and the Arab-Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

They established a military base inside the town’s center in time with the arrival of reinforcements for the Syrian forces.

Moscow gave the SDF a two-day period to withdraw its military forces from the vicinity of the M4 highway and requested that they also withdraw from Ain Issa, while maintaining a security presence at the administration's institutions and offices.

The SDF rejected the Russian deadline and the military handover of the area to government forces, according to senior leader in the SDF-controlled Ain Issa Military Council.

An official from Ain Issa’s civil administration said Russians have requested the establishment of a military base and the deployment of their forces along contested regions, significantly in villages and areas that have been shelled since early December.

They asked the SDF to evacuate the military area in exchange for the Syrian army’s deployment to prevent any further Turkish attacks and threats, the official stated.

The Russians have repeatedly requested raising the Syrian flag, reopening state institutions and establishing a military post inside the town.

Meanwhile, Russian military reinforcements have arrived at their base in Tal Saman village in Raqqa’s northern countryside. These included vehicles carrying military equipment, soldiers and heavy weapons.

The reinforcements were sent after Turkish demands to hand over the area to its loyal Syrian factions.

Ain Issa has been the target for several days now of violent attacks by the Turkish army and its loyal factions.

According to citizens who fled to Raqqa and the neighboring Tabqa town, the area was targeted with artillery shells.



Israel Says It Severely Damaged Yemeni Ports, Vows to Kill Houthi Leader

Smoke billows after Israeli strikes on Hodeidah port, Yemen, July 21, 2024. (Reuters file)
Smoke billows after Israeli strikes on Hodeidah port, Yemen, July 21, 2024. (Reuters file)
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Israel Says It Severely Damaged Yemeni Ports, Vows to Kill Houthi Leader

Smoke billows after Israeli strikes on Hodeidah port, Yemen, July 21, 2024. (Reuters file)
Smoke billows after Israeli strikes on Hodeidah port, Yemen, July 21, 2024. (Reuters file)

Israel said it attacked and severely damaged Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen on Friday, with its defense minister vowing in a statement to hunt down and kill the group's leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi.

Israel attacked Yemen's ports of Hodeidah and Salif along the country's Red Sea coast on Friday, the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV said, in an apparent response to the Iran-backed group's missile launches against Israel.

Al Masirah did not provide further details, but two residents in Hodeidah said they heard four loud booms.

The Houthis have continued to fire missiles at Israel in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, although they have agreed to halt attacks on US ships.

The Israeli military, which has carried out numerous retaliatory strikes on Houthi targets, intercepted a missile launched by the group on Thursday.

Earlier this week, Israel issued evacuation orders for the ports of Ras Isa, Hodeidah and Salif, saying they were being used by the Houthis.