Hezbollah Opens Workshops to Repair Drones in Homs Countryside

The highway linking the Syrian capital Damascus to Homs. (AFP)
The highway linking the Syrian capital Damascus to Homs. (AFP)
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Hezbollah Opens Workshops to Repair Drones in Homs Countryside

The highway linking the Syrian capital Damascus to Homs. (AFP)
The highway linking the Syrian capital Damascus to Homs. (AFP)

Lebanon’s Hezbollah has recently established workshops in Syria to manufacture artillery, rockets, and landmines and repair drones and various kinds of weapons, said sources in the southeastern countryside of Homs.

Sources said the workshops were established under the supervision of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) experts in a fortified depot of armories and ammunition in Maheen “strategic” area in the southeastern countryside of Homs, which is the second-largest arms warehouse in Syria.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) sources, many Maheen citizens are now working for local Iranian-backed militias, following the regime and yjr militias’ control of the area in early 2017, supported by Russian aerial bombardment.

Earlier this week, reliable sources informed the war monitor that Russian forces had withdrawn completely from Palmyra military airport in the eastern countryside of Homs.

“All Russian troops left the airport by a military hovercraft before Russian troops pulled their helicopters out of the airport,” the sources said.

However, the nature of this withdrawal remained unidentified. It is not clear whether it is a tactical withdrawal and forces will return anytime, or whether it is a complete withdrawal for specific purposes.

SOHR sources said the Russian helicopters and forces that left Palmyra airport headed to Tifor airport in the countryside of Homs.

Therefore, Hezbollah and Iran-backed Afghan “Fatemiyoun” militia now control the Palmyra military airport, where some regime soldiers and officers are also present.



Berlin Says Situation in Gaza ‘Unbearable’, Calls for Ceasefire

 Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
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Berlin Says Situation in Gaza ‘Unbearable’, Calls for Ceasefire

 Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)
Newly appointed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul gestures during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP)

Germany's new top diplomat Johann Wadephul called on Saturday for "serious discussions for a ceasefire" in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation "is now unbearable".

Ahead of a visit to Israel, Wadephul said it was "imperative to start" talks "to free all hostages and to ensure that supplies reach the population of Gaza", according to comments reported by his ministry.

While reaffirming Germany's unwavering support for Israel, the official said he would "inquire about the strategic objective of the fighting that has intensified since March".

In Israel, Wadephul is expected to meet his counterpart Gideon Saar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday.

Israel's military resumed its offensive on the Gaza Strip on March 18, ending a two-month truce that saw a surge in aid into the war-ravaged territory and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

On Tuesday, new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced "considerable concern" about the Gaza conflict and demanded that Israel "respect its humanitarian obligations".

The Gaza Strip, where nearly all 2.4 million inhabitants have been displaced at least once during the war sparked by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, has been subjected to a strict blockade since March 2 and is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis.

Israeli authorities claim that the blockade aims to compel Hamas to release hostages.

"In the West Bank as well, Palestinians need political and economic future prospects so that hatred and extremism no longer find fertile grounds," Wadephul said.

His visit comes at a time when Israel and Germany are preparing to celebrate 60 years of joint diplomatic relations.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected in Berlin on Monday, while his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier will visit Israel on Tuesday.