Free Destourian Party Fights to Rid Tunisia of 'Political Islam'

The leader of the Free Destourian Party (PDL) Abir Moussi in the parliament (File photo: AFP)
The leader of the Free Destourian Party (PDL) Abir Moussi in the parliament (File photo: AFP)
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Free Destourian Party Fights to Rid Tunisia of 'Political Islam'

The leader of the Free Destourian Party (PDL) Abir Moussi in the parliament (File photo: AFP)
The leader of the Free Destourian Party (PDL) Abir Moussi in the parliament (File photo: AFP)

The Free Destourian Party accused Tunisian opposition parties, namely the leftist movement, of abandoning their battle against “political Islam”, calling on the leaders to support the formation of a strong political front against parties that threaten the civil state.

In a letter to President Kais Saied, Leader of the Free Destourian Abir Moussi urged the National Security Council to hold an emergency meeting to take the necessary measures and protect the nation from the dangers of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) and Muslim Brotherhood, who are active in Tunisia through Ennahda movement.

Moussi presented evidence supporting claims that IUMS violated the Tunisian constitution, the international agreements on women and family’s rights, and the Personal Status Law.

The government of Hichem Mechichi deliberately facilitated attacks by groups under its cover, affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, against the Free Destourian's sit-in outside the Union headquarters in Tunis, according to Moussi.

Meanwhile, Mohsen Marzouk, the Head of Machrouu Tounes, announced forming a political alliance with Moussi, on the condition of refraining from giving statements that are against Ennahda or contribute to dividing Tunisians.

Marzouk accused Karama Coalition, which supports the Ennahda movement, of waging a proxy war on behalf of Rached Ghannouchi, who has become “the political arm of terrorism.”

Also, activist Olfa Youssef, who is a known opponent of political Islam, said that left-wing parties are backing Nidaa Tounes party and its late leader Beji Caid Essebsi, while they refrain from supporting the Free Destourian and its leader, even though both parties have the same political orientation.



Ankara: Assad Does Not Want Peace in Syria

Fidan addresses the Planning and Budget Committee of the Turkish Parliament (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
Fidan addresses the Planning and Budget Committee of the Turkish Parliament (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
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Ankara: Assad Does Not Want Peace in Syria

Fidan addresses the Planning and Budget Committee of the Turkish Parliament (Turkish Foreign Ministry)
Fidan addresses the Planning and Budget Committee of the Turkish Parliament (Turkish Foreign Ministry)

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has stated that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is unwilling to pursue peace in Syria and warned that Israel’s efforts to spread war across the Middle East are undermining the environment fostered by the Astana Process.

Fidan emphasized the importance of Russian and Iranian efforts within the framework of the Astana Process to maintain calm on the ground, pointing to ongoing consultations with the US regarding the Syrian crisis.

Speaking during a parliamentary session discussing the 2025 budget of the Foreign Ministry, Fidan reiterated Türkiye’s expectation that the dialogue proposed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be approached strategically by the Syrian government, with priority given to the interests of the Syrian people.

Regarding Erdogan’s invitation to Assad for a meeting to discuss the normalization of ties between Ankara and Damascus, Fidan remarked that the matter depends on political will, stressing that the Turkish president has demonstrated his readiness at the highest level.

Last week, Erdogan reiterated the possibility of a meeting with Assad, but Russia, which mediates the normalization talks between Ankara and Damascus, ruled out such a meeting or high-level engagements in the near future.

Russian Presidential Envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev attributed the impasse to Türkiye’s refusal to meet Damascus’ demand for a withdrawal from northern Syria, accusing Ankara of acting as an “occupying state”.

Although Türkiye has not officially responded to Lavrentiev’s comments, which reflect a shift in Russia’s stance, Fidan stated in a televised interview last week that Russia remains “somewhat neutral” regarding the normalization process. He also urged the Syrian government to create conditions for the return of 10 million Syrian refugees.

Türkiye maintains that its military presence in northern Syria prevents the country’s division, blocks the establishment of a “terror corridor” along its southern border, and deters new waves of refugees from entering its territory.

Fidan outlined his country’s key objectives in Syria, which include eradicating terrorist groups (such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party and the Syrian Democratic Forces), preserving Syria’s territorial unity, advancing the political process, and ensuring the safe and voluntary return of Syrian refugees.

Meanwhile, Turkish artillery targeted villages and positions controlled by the Manbij Military Council, affiliated with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), whose main component is the People’s Protection Units (YPG).

On Friday, fierce clashes erupted between the Syrian National Army factions and the SDF in western Tel Abyad, northern Raqqa. Simultaneously, Turkish artillery strikes reportedly killed two SDF members and injured others, with reports of captives and missing personnel.

In retaliation, the SDF shelled Turkish bases in the Ain Issa countryside. Turkish forces responded by deploying military reinforcements amid heightened alert at their bases in Raqqa’s countryside, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).