Russia Makes New Arrangements in Northeast Syria

Syrian and Russian soldiers are seen at a checkpoint in Damascus. (Reuters)
Syrian and Russian soldiers are seen at a checkpoint in Damascus. (Reuters)
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Russia Makes New Arrangements in Northeast Syria

Syrian and Russian soldiers are seen at a checkpoint in Damascus. (Reuters)
Syrian and Russian soldiers are seen at a checkpoint in Damascus. (Reuters)

Russia arranged for the Syrian army to enter into some areas under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in an attempt to organize the situation in the east of the country.

Earlier, Russian sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Moscow is exerting intensive efforts to contain the military escalation in northern Syria, following the military drills and exercises carried out by various parties.

Furthermore, forces allied with Turkey are sending large reinforcements to the countryside of al-Hasakeh and Raqqa.

The Russian military police intensified direct contacts between the Syrian army and the SDF leadership, including the regional Kurdish forces.

Meanwhile, Russia is limiting the Iranian deployment in Qamishli, according to local sources. Moscow issued an order to prevent the transfer of Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) members into the areas controlled by the SDF through Qamishli airport.

The Eye of the Euphrates network stated that the Russian decision was made in coordination with the Syrian army. Moscow believes the Iranian presence in the area is not justified, especially since there is no military escalation there.

The Russian military command in Syria informed the army in Qamishli of a decision to prevent the transfer of IRGC from the Syrian provinces to al-Hasakeh. Some 150 Iran-affiliated fighters are deployed in areas near Qamishli airport.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that militias affiliated with Iran had redeployed in towns and villages from al-Mayadin to al-Bukamal, on the Syrian-Iraqi border.

Meanwhile, Syrian regime agencies in Deir Ezzor are preparing for a settlement in mid-November, similar to the one that happened in the Daraa governorate under the auspices of Russia.

Local sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Damascus has started forming special settlement committees to include all wanted persons.

The Ministry of Interior formed a committee to issue a status settlement document that ensures its holder will not be prosecuted. The relevant military and security checkpoints were notified, according to the sources.

The Secretary of the Deir Ezzor branch of the Baath Party, Raed al-Ghadban, had announced earlier the regime's intention to carry out a "comprehensive settlement" in the province.



Arab League Secretary-General Condemns Israel's Publication of Maps Claiming Arab Lands

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit attends the Arab League's foreign ministers meeting in Cairo, Egypt April 21, 2019. Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit attends the Arab League's foreign ministers meeting in Cairo, Egypt April 21, 2019. Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
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Arab League Secretary-General Condemns Israel's Publication of Maps Claiming Arab Lands

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit attends the Arab League's foreign ministers meeting in Cairo, Egypt April 21, 2019. Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit attends the Arab League's foreign ministers meeting in Cairo, Egypt April 21, 2019. Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has strongly condemned Israel's publication of maps depicting Arab territories in Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria as part of its so-called historical claims.
In a statement, Aboul Gheit described the act as deliberate and alarming.

According to SPA, he emphasized that it reflects the Israeli government's deep entrenchment in right-wing extremism and religious fanaticism, and criticized the promotion of "historical myths" as facts.
He highlighted previous declarations by Israeli officials regarding their intent to annex the West Bank and expand settlements into Gaza, stressing that these maps reveal the government’s radical agenda, which threatens regional stability and peaceful coexistence.
The secretary-general urged the international community to take these provocations seriously, warning that ignoring such actions and statements risks inflaming extremist sentiments on all sides.