Bloody Fighting between Opposition Factions in N.Syria in Struggle for Power, Influence

Disputes have erupted between rival factions over a struggle for power and influence. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Disputes have erupted between rival factions over a struggle for power and influence. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Bloody Fighting between Opposition Factions in N.Syria in Struggle for Power, Influence

Disputes have erupted between rival factions over a struggle for power and influence. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Disputes have erupted between rival factions over a struggle for power and influence. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Internal fighting continued between different factions of the Syrian National Army, supported by Ankara, in the areas of Turkish military operations in northern Syria.

Disputes have erupted over a struggle for power and influence, and for material gains that are reaped from ports and smuggling crossings.

Activists in the countryside of Aleppo said a member was killed on Thursday in an armed clash between two groups of the Sultan Suleiman Shah Division, affiliated with the Syrian National Army, in the city center of Jindires in the countryside of Afrin, northern Aleppo. The dispute resulted in the serious injury of other militants.

On April 18, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said violent clashes, using with medium and light machine guns, erupted between two groups of the Syrian Front faction, which is affiliated with the Syrian National Army, near Al-Qabban roundabout in the center of Afrin city.

The dispute developed into violent clashes between the two parties, without reports on human casualties.

Husam al-Shihabi, a resident of the city of al-Bab in the countryside of Aleppo, said violent clashes erupted on April 2, between the Ahrar al-Sham and Al-Jabha al-Shamiya factions, near the city, located within the Euphrates Shield area.

The dispute erupted when a leader in Ahrar al-Sham refused to give up his position in the Third Legion, which is affiliated with the National Army.

The clashes led to the killing and wounding of four members of the factions, and the blocking of the roads leading to al-Bab, prompting the residents to stage a mass demonstration in the city, calling on the factions to stop the fighting and observe the sanctity of the month of Ramadan.

“About 17 members have been killed and more than 30 others wounded, since the beginning of 2022, in bloody clashes between the factions affiliated with the Syrian National Army, in the areas of the northern countryside of Aleppo (al-Bab, Afrin Jandiris, Azaz and Al-Ra’i), which caused the closure of roads and markets,” Shihabi said.



Saudi Space Agency Launches 'Space Future Center' to Strengthen Innovation in Space Sector

The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to solidify its leadership in the global space sector and foster growth in economic development, research, and innovation in this vital field. (SPA)
The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to solidify its leadership in the global space sector and foster growth in economic development, research, and innovation in this vital field. (SPA)
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Saudi Space Agency Launches 'Space Future Center' to Strengthen Innovation in Space Sector

The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to solidify its leadership in the global space sector and foster growth in economic development, research, and innovation in this vital field. (SPA)
The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to solidify its leadership in the global space sector and foster growth in economic development, research, and innovation in this vital field. (SPA)

The Saudi Space Agency (SSA) announced on Sunday the launch of the Space Future Center, the first of its kind within the network of Fourth Industrial Revolution Centers affiliated with the World Economic Forum.

The initiative is part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to solidify its leadership in the global space sector and foster growth in economic development, research, and innovation in this vital field.

The center introduced its board of directors, comprising a distinguished group of international experts. Leading the board is Chairman of the Space Future Center and Deputy Minister of Economy and Planning Dr. Mohammed Al-Tamimi. Other prominent members include Managing Director of the World Economic Forum Eng. Ammar Nagadi, CEO of the World Economic Forum Jeremy Jurgens, CEO of the Neo Space Group Martijn Blanken, Co-Founder and CEO of Axiom Space Kam Ghaffarian, and Founder of Spaceport Sarabahi Susmita Mohanty. The board’s membership reflects the expertise and strategic vision necessary to achieve the center's ambitious goals.

Al-Tamimi emphasized that the center represents a significant addition to the global space sector. He highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening a sustainable space economy, advancing knowledge, and fostering international partnerships.

The launch of the center will boost Saudi Arabia’s role both regionally and globally, enabling humanity to responsibly explore and capitalize on the opportunities offered by space, he stressed.

This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader ambition to become a leader in space exploration and innovation, positioning the Kingdom at the forefront of the rapidly evolving space industry.