Russia Mediates between Syrian Regime, Kurds

The funeral of a Kurdish fighter who was killed in clashes with pro-regime fighters in Qamishli (North Press Agency)
The funeral of a Kurdish fighter who was killed in clashes with pro-regime fighters in Qamishli (North Press Agency)
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Russia Mediates between Syrian Regime, Kurds

The funeral of a Kurdish fighter who was killed in clashes with pro-regime fighters in Qamishli (North Press Agency)
The funeral of a Kurdish fighter who was killed in clashes with pro-regime fighters in Qamishli (North Press Agency)

Pro-regime National Defense Forces and the Kurdish internal security services, aka Asayish, have reached a ceasefire in northeastern Syria’s Qamishli city as part of a Russian-sponsored mediation.

Russian military police succeeded in mediating the ceasefire agreement between the National Defense Forces and members of Arab tribes and Asayish fighters in Qamishli, sources told Sputnik News Agency.

The agreement reached on Wednesday night stipulated a complete ceasefire and the withdrawal of fighters from the streets along with Russian patrols in the city’s streets, the sources said.

“Kurdish elements tried to advance with an armored vehicle towards a neighborhood in the city and put concrete barriers before the arrival of Russian forces,” said Mohammed al-Taei, a National Defense Forces member.

“Their attempts were thwarted and they were forced to return to their bases,” he added.

We are committed to the agreement and did not shoot at their checkpoints “as they claim,” he told dpa.

Meanwhile, a source close to the Kurdish units said elements from the National Defense Forces violated the ceasefire and targeted Asayish forces, adding that they fired mortar shells on a neighborhood mostly inhabited by Kurds.

Kurdish security forces said Wednesday that regime-allied fighters killed one of their personnel in an overnight attack on a checkpoint in Qamishli, of which both groups share control.

The fighting began when the National Defense Forces attacked the position manned by the Kurdish security forces in the city.

The Asayish, said one of their own died after sustaining wounds in the fighting late Tuesday, prompting Russian forces present in Qamishli airport to intervene to end the deadly clashes.



Lebanon Bans Dealing with Hezbollah Financial Entity

A view shows Lebanon's Central Bank building in Beirut, Lebanon April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo
A view shows Lebanon's Central Bank building in Beirut, Lebanon April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo
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Lebanon Bans Dealing with Hezbollah Financial Entity

A view shows Lebanon's Central Bank building in Beirut, Lebanon April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo
A view shows Lebanon's Central Bank building in Beirut, Lebanon April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo

Lebanon's central bank has banned banks and brokerages from dealing with a Hezbollah-affiliated financial institution, according to a circular, a sign of the group's diminished sway over state affairs since its devastating war with Israel.

Keeping up military pressure on the Iran-backed group, Israel on Tuesday launched some of its heaviest airstrikes since a ceasefire in November, saying it hit training camps and weapons depots in east Lebanon. A security source in Lebanon said 12 people were killed, five of them Hezbollah fighters, Reuters reported.

Hezbollah has faced mounting pressures since the war, including financial ones.

In the circular, dated July 14 and reviewed by Reuters, Banque du Liban prohibited all licensed financial institutions in Lebanon from dealing directly or indirectly with unlicensed entities and listed Hezbollah's Al-Qard Al-Hassan as an example.

The US Department of Treasury imposed sanctions on Al-Qard Al-Hassan in 2007, saying Hezbollah used it as a cover to manage "financial activities and gain access to the international financial system".

Bolstered by its powerful arsenal, Hezbollah had long exercised decisive influence over Lebanese state affairs, but it was unable to impose its will in the formation of a post-war government in February.

Al-Qard Al-Hassan, founded in 1983, describes itself as a charitable organisation which provides loans to people according to Islamic principles that forbid interest. Israel struck some of its branches during its war with Hezbollah last year.

Operating as a not-for-profit organisation under a licence granted by the Lebanese government, it has more than 30 branches, mostly in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.

SHADOW ECONOMY

A Lebanese official said the central bank move had been in the works for months, and reflected US pressure on Lebanon to take action against Hezbollah's financial wing.

Nassib Ghobril, chief economist at Byblos Bank, said Lebanese banks were already careful to avoid dealing with Al-Qard Al-Hassan because it is under US sanctions.

"The important point is that finally the authorities are addressing the shadow economy in Lebanon, which is the real problem," he said, adding that authorities had long failed to address its "toxic effects".

In June, the European Commission included Lebanon in an updated list of high-risk jurisdictions presenting strategic deficiencies in their national anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism.

Last year, global financial crime watchdog FATF placed Lebanon on its "grey list" of countries under special scrutiny.