US-led Int’l Coalition Renews Support to Raqqa Civil Council

A US tank heading to Tall Tamr in al-Hasaka, northeastern Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
A US tank heading to Tall Tamr in al-Hasaka, northeastern Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
TT

US-led Int’l Coalition Renews Support to Raqqa Civil Council

A US tank heading to Tall Tamr in al-Hasaka, northeastern Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)
A US tank heading to Tall Tamr in al-Hasaka, northeastern Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic)

A delegation from the US-led International Coalition and the US army held several meetings with leaders from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Al-Raqqa Civil Council to discuss the mounting Turkish threats against the east of the Euphrates.

A source from the council said that the meetings touched on the developments in Syria and the increased Turkish threats to launch military attacks against SDF locations.

The council received assurances over assured over its presence in the area. Also, the coalition affirmed that operations against ISIS targets will continue in Raqqa.

US forces and the Int’l Coalition forces are deployed in several military bases and locations in Raqqa and its eastern countryside.

In a related context, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) activists reported that the Russian forces deployed the S300 air defense system in al-Tabaqah Airport that is considered a main base for the Russia in al-Raqqa countryside.

The deployment came in light of increased Russian activity in northeast Syria. Also, new military reinforcements took place in the past few days while regime forces conducted military maneuvers.

Moreover, three Iraqi nationals were killed at the northeastern Syrian camp of Al-Hol.

A security source revealed that two Iraqi refugees, including the chairman of the Iraqi refugees’ council, were killed on Friday by suspected ISIS gunmen. Also, a woman originally from the northern Iraqi city of Mosul died of bullet wounds on Saturday.

Notably, Al-Hol is home to more than 60,000 people, half of whom are Iraqi nationals.



Hezbollah-Israel Ceasefire Proposal Says Only ‘Official’ Forces May Carry Arms in Lebanon

 Lebanese soldiers ride in a convoy in Mansouri, as they head to southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP)
Lebanese soldiers ride in a convoy in Mansouri, as they head to southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP)
TT

Hezbollah-Israel Ceasefire Proposal Says Only ‘Official’ Forces May Carry Arms in Lebanon

 Lebanese soldiers ride in a convoy in Mansouri, as they head to southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP)
Lebanese soldiers ride in a convoy in Mansouri, as they head to southern Lebanon, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that went into effect on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP)

A ceasefire proposal agreed to by Lebanon and Israel stipulates that only "official military and security forces" in Lebanon are authorized to carry arms in the country, according to a copy of the deal dated on Tuesday and seen by Reuters on Wednesday.

It specifically names those forces as the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Internal Security Forces, General Security, State Security, Lebanese customs and municipal police.

Officials in both the Lebanese government and Iran-backed Hezbollah have long referred to cabinet statements since 2008 enshrining the right to "resistance" as providing official approval for Hezbollah's arsenal.

The truce proposal refers to both sides' commitment to fully implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, including provisions that refer to the "disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon".

Hezbollah has not formally commented on the ceasefire, but senior official Hassan Fadlallah told Lebanon's Al Jadeed TV late on Tuesday that while the group supported the extension of the Lebanese state's authority, the group would emerge from the war stronger.

"Thousands will join the resistance... Disarming the resistance was an Israeli proposal that fell through," said Fadlallah, who is also a member of Lebanon's parliament.