Damascus Reports Bombing of US Base East of the Euphrates

Prisoners accused of belonging to ISIS in Hasakah governorate, northeastern Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prisoners accused of belonging to ISIS in Hasakah governorate, northeastern Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Damascus Reports Bombing of US Base East of the Euphrates

Prisoners accused of belonging to ISIS in Hasakah governorate, northeastern Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prisoners accused of belonging to ISIS in Hasakah governorate, northeastern Syria (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Sources in Damascus reported that a US base in northeastern Syria was bombed with five rockets at a time when a fierce campaign is being led against US economic aid being given to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.

The Kharab al-Jir military base used by US forces in the Hasaka Governorate in northeastern Syria was targeted by rockets, reported the Syrian state news agency SANA.

According to the report, five rockets were fired at the base. No casualties have been reported.

The sources explained that “immediately after the targeting of the base, the area witnessed an intense flight of helicopters and warplanes belonging to US forces.”

According to SANA, US bases in the Al-Omar oil and Konico gas fields in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor and Kharab Al-Jir in the Hasaka countryside have been subjected to several missile attacks during the past two months.

“US forces removed a military convoy of 110 vehicles from their base at Kharab al-Jir airbase in the Hasaka countryside to northern Iraq through the illegal Al-Waleed crossing,” added SANA.

Meanwhile, laboratory analysis at the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform have proven the invalidity of the Turkish-origin wheat seeds, which have been provided by the US forces through the so-called US Agency for International Development “USAID” to the farmers in several areas in the Qamishli countryside.

“The Agriculture and Agrarian Reform Directorate in Hasaka province sent a sample of the wheat seeds provided by the American occupation to the laboratories of the Ministry of Agriculture, and it was found that they are not suitable for cultivation,” Head of the Directorate Eng. Said Hajji said in a statement to SANA.

He warned farmers in the Qamishli countryside and the region against using these seeds, calling to destroy them and not plant them because the damage they cause will last for years and put the agricultural lands out of investment.



EU Exploring Support for New Gaza Administration Committee, Document Says

Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
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EU Exploring Support for New Gaza Administration Committee, Document Says

Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa

The European Union is exploring possible support for a new committee established to take over the civil administration of Gaza, according to a document produced by the bloc's diplomatic arm and seen by Reuters.

"The EU is engaging with the newly established transitional governance structures for Gaza," the European External Action Service wrote in a document circulated to member states on Tuesday.

"The EU is also exploring possible support to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza," it added.

European foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Gaza during a meeting in Brussels on February 23.


Israel Military Says Soldier Killed in Gaza 

A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
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Israel Military Says Soldier Killed in Gaza 

A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)

The Israeli military announced that one of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Gaza on Wednesday, but a security source said the death appeared to have been caused by "friendly fire".

"Staff Sergeant Ofri Yafe, aged 21, from HaYogev, a soldier in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement.

A security source, however, told AFP that the soldier appeared to have been "killed by friendly fire", without providing further details.

"The incident is still under investigation," the source added.

The death brings to five the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since a ceasefire took effect on October 10.


Syria: SDF’s Mazloum Abdi Says Implementation of Integration Deal May Take Time

People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
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Syria: SDF’s Mazloum Abdi Says Implementation of Integration Deal May Take Time

People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman

Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, said the process of merging the SDF with Syrian government forces “may take some time,” despite expressing confidence in the eventual success of the agreement.

His remarks came after earlier comments in which he acknowledged differences with Damascus over the concept of “decentralization.”

Speaking at a tribal conference in the northeastern city of Hasakah on Tuesday, Abdi said the issue of integration would not be resolved quickly, but stressed that the agreement remains on track.

He said the deal reached last month stipulates that three Syrian army brigades will be created out of the SDF.

Abdi added that all SDF military units have withdrawn to their barracks in an effort to preserve stability and continue implementing the announced integration agreement with the Syrian state.

He also emphasized the need for armed forces to withdraw from the vicinity of the city of Ayn al-Arab (Kobani), to be replaced by security forces tasked with maintaining order.