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Arab World

Erdogan Threatens to 'Crush the Heads' of Kurdish Units in Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Erdogan Threatens to 'Crush the Heads' of Kurdish Units in Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged to expand the operations against the Kurdish forces in Syria, as was the case against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq.

Speaking at the parliamentary group meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) in Ankara, Erdogan announced that the Turkish forces would expand their military operations against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria, coinciding with the Claw-Lock military operation in northern Iraq, which started Monday dawn.

The president asserted that sooner or later, Turkey will "crush the head of terrorist organization," in reference to the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).

Turkey considers the YPG an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party, whose leaders are stationed in northern Iraq and have been engaged in an armed conflict for more than 40 years for the autonomy of the Kurds of Turkey.

Turkey designated the PKK a "terrorist organization," saying they constitute a threat to its national security.

Erdogan stressed that Turkey will continue its operations against "terrorists" in northern Iraq and northern Syria until their final elimination.

On the issue of Syrian migrants, Erdogan asserted that his country embraces migrants, noting that the Syrians will want to return to their homes when peace is established, and the construction is completed.

Meanwhile, Turkish forces bombed Ain Issa district's eastern and western countryside, targeting Mushaiyrefah and the international M4 highway in the eastern al-Raqqah countryside and Hoshan and al-Khalidiyah in the western countryside of Ain Issa district in northern al-Raqqah countryside.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that Turkish forces fired six rocket shells on the Qubour Qrajanah area in the countryside of Tel Tamr, north-west al-Hasakah.

Also, the Turkish Defense Ministry said it "neutralized" ten terrorists who attempted to infiltrate and launch attacks in the Operation Olive Branch and the Operation Peace Spring zones in northern Syria.

"The fight against the PKK/ YPG continues in Syria," the ministry added.

Later, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said the government is considering banning Syrian refugees residing in Turkey from visiting their country during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays.

Soylu accused the head of the Republican People's Party, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, of adopting a provocative approach to inflame xenophobia in Turkey ahead of the election.

Kilicdaroglu reiterated Tuesday that his party would send Syrian migrants to their countries, and they would "voluntarily" leave.

"They will come to visit Turkey as tourists," he said, adding that his party would mend ties with the Bashar Assad regime to facilitate their return.

The decision came after the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader said that Syrians who go back to their country to celebrate Eid al-Fitr should not be allowed to return to Turkey, adding that the migrants sheltered in Turkey should return voluntarily with dignity once the decade-old internal conflict ends in their country.

"Our fundamental objective should be to see Syrians off in a voluntary way and with dignity after the harsh conditions that led them to flee their country disappear," MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said in his weekly address to his lawmakers at parliament.

Turkey used to allow Syrian migrants to return to their country for the Eid holidays in previous years. However, intense pressure from the opposition ahead of the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in June 2023 forced the government to make some changes to the Syrian issue in Turkey.

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Arab World

Syrian Interior Ministry Details Results of Security Campaigns in Latakia, Damascus Countrysides

Security personnel inside the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood of Homs following a bombing . (AFP)
Security personnel inside the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood of Homs following a bombing . (AFP)
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Syrian Interior Ministry Details Results of Security Campaigns in Latakia, Damascus Countrysides

Security personnel inside the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood of Homs following a bombing . (AFP)
Security personnel inside the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dhahab neighborhood of Homs following a bombing . (AFP)

Syria’s Interior Ministry has announced the results of a series of security operations carried out in recent days in Homs, Latakia, and the Damascus countryside, including the arrest of two alleged ISIS members accused of involvement in the bombing of the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in Homs last month.

The ministry said the operations led to the arrest of three senior figures in a cell known as “Lieutenant Abbas,” affiliated with the “Coastal Shield Brigade” led by Miqdad Fteiha, a prominent figure loyal to the former regime.

Security forces also detained an armed group in the al-Wuroud neighborhood of Damascus that was allegedly planning “acts of sabotage.”

The operations form part of broader efforts to dismantle armed groups and restore the state’s exclusive authority over weapons.

Interior Minister Anas Khattab vowed to continue pursuing ISIS operatives and bringing them to justice.

In a post on X, he said security and intelligence services had conducted a “highly precise operation” resulting in the arrest of those involved in the December 26 attack on the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dhahab district of Homs, which killed eight people and wounded 18 others.

According to the Interior Ministry, security units in Homs, in coordination with the General Intelligence Service, arrested two persons identified as ISIS members. Authorities said explosive devices, various weapons, ammunition, documents, and digital evidence allegedly linking the suspects to terrorist activities were seized.

The two were referred to the Counterterrorism Directorate to complete investigations ahead of prosecution.

In a separate statement earlier Monday, the Interior Ministry said a “valuable catch” was detained by security and intelligence forces in Latakia. It said he was a key figures in the “Lieutenant Abbas” cell. Initial investigations indicated the cell had targeted internal security and army positions in the province.

Meanwhile, in the Damascus countryside, the ministry said security forces carried out a “preemptive operation” in the al-Wuroud neighborhood of Qudsaya city, arresting three individuals accused of planning armed attacks.

The ministry said security services would continue pursuing remaining members of the groups, pledging to “eradicate them completely” to ensure security and stability.

Arab World

Gaza Deal: Cairo Talks Aim to Settle Sector’s ‘Administrative Committee’

Displaced Palestinians stand beside a pool of rainwater amid makeshift shelters at the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza (AFP). 
Displaced Palestinians stand beside a pool of rainwater amid makeshift shelters at the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza (AFP). 
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Gaza Deal: Cairo Talks Aim to Settle Sector’s ‘Administrative Committee’

Displaced Palestinians stand beside a pool of rainwater amid makeshift shelters at the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza (AFP). 
Displaced Palestinians stand beside a pool of rainwater amid makeshift shelters at the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza (AFP). 

Cairo is hosting renewed consultations on the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which entered into force on Oct. 10, following the arrival of a delegation from Hamas and amid anticipation of an announcement on the committee that will administer the territory.

Experts told Asharq Al-Awsat that the talks provide an important boost at a critical moment for the second phase of the Gaza agreement, which has been stalled for some time. They stressed that moving forward hinges largely on US will and pressure on Israel.

A Palestinian source said Monday that a Hamas delegation headed by the movement’s leader, Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Cairo to discuss the second phase and push ahead with the ceasefire deal. The source added that indications suggest the Gaza administration committee will be finalized during the Cairo round, with factions briefed on the names, particularly after recent changes prompted by Israeli objections.

Hamas Political Bureau member Mohammed Nazzal said in televised remarks Sunday night that the delegation would discuss follow-up on implementing the ceasefire amid “major difficulties hindering its application and continued Israeli violations.”

He said the delegation would hold meetings with Palestinian factions and forces, as well as with Egyptian officials, to discuss several files linked to the agreement.

These include ways to consolidate the ceasefire and move to subsequent phases, alongside key issues - foremost the formation of a Palestinian technocratic committee to administer Gaza - aimed at preventing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from reneging on or delaying the deal.

Former Egyptian assistant foreign minister and member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Rakha Ahmed Hassan, said the Cairo consultations are highly significant and could revive the stalled agreement.

He pointed to anticipation surrounding US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a Peace Council, followed by the Gaza administration committee, adding that discussions would also cover approaches to dealing with weapons in Gaza to undercut Netanyahu’s justifications.

He suggested Hamas would press for full implementation of the first phase first, including opening the Rafah crossing from the Palestinian side, increasing aid, maintaining the ceasefire, and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in parallel with any later steps.

On the Egyptian front, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed, during a Cairo meeting with Irish Minister for Migration, Trade and Defense Helen McEntee, the importance of announcing a temporary Palestinian technocratic committee to manage daily affairs in Gaza and forming an international stabilization force.

 

 

 

Arab World

Lebanese Govt Vows to Carry out Second Phase of Plan to Impose State Monopoly over Arms

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and ambassadors of the quintet countries meet at the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Lebanese government's press office)
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and ambassadors of the quintet countries meet at the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Lebanese government's press office)
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Lebanese Govt Vows to Carry out Second Phase of Plan to Impose State Monopoly over Arms

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and ambassadors of the quintet countries meet at the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Lebanese government's press office)
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and ambassadors of the quintet countries meet at the Grand Serail in Beirut. (Lebanese government's press office)

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stressed on Monday that his country is determined to carry out the second phase of imposing state monopoly over weapons that the government approved last year.

The army is expected to kick off in February the second phase of the plan, which covers areas north of the Litani River. The first phase, covering south of the river, is close to completion.

Salam received at the Grand Serail in Beirut on Monday ambassadors of the quintet committee overseeing the ceasefire with Israel. The quintet includes Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Waleed al-Bukhari, French Ambassador Herve Magro, Qatari Ambassador Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Egyptian Ambassador Alaa Moussa, and the United States' Ambassador Michel Issa.

After the talks, Salam said he expressed his gratitude to the envoys for their continued support for his reformist government and the army's disarmament plan.

"I stressed to them our firm determination to implement the second phase of the plan," he added.

Egyptian envoy Moussa said the meeting tackled several issues, including Lebanon's economic reforms and the disarmament plan.

The Lebanese state and army are on the right path, he remarked.

"We have positively assessed the first phase and the state's efforts have been very encouraging," he added.

Moreover, he stressed that Egypt is maintaining its efforts to de-escalate the tensions in Lebanon, especially in the South.

"Our sole goal is to create the circumstances that would ease the tensions," Moussa said.

"We are informing the Lebanese government of all of our efforts. We believe that if the situation is left without Egyptian or non-Egyptian efforts, then the chances of escalation will be greater," he continued.

"We have so far averted the situation from deteriorating," he added.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has opposed efforts to kick off the second phase of the disarmament plan. It had already objected to its disarmament altogether.

Hezbollah MP Hussein Ezzedine said: "The government should work on getting the enemy to unconditionally withdraw from Lebanese territories it is occupying and release prisoners."

He said it should "avoid making concessions at the expense of the national interest, which will only encourage the enemy to continue to extort" Lebanon.