Russia Presses SDF to Merge with Syrian Regime Forces
Security forces block an entrance to the village of Humayra, where US coalition forces conducted an overnight airborne operation, in the Ghandoura district in the north of Syria's Aleppo province on June 16, 2022. (AFP)
Russia Presses SDF to Merge with Syrian Regime Forces
Security forces block an entrance to the village of Humayra, where US coalition forces conducted an overnight airborne operation, in the Ghandoura district in the north of Syria's Aleppo province on June 16, 2022. (AFP)
Russia has been pressuring the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to merge with the Syrian regime government forces.
The revelation was made as more military reinforcements continued to be deployed to northern Syria amid Turkey’s threat to carry out a new offensive against the Kurdish SDF.
Commander of the SDF Mazloum Abdi had met with commander of the Russian forces in Syria Alexander Chaiko on June 10 for talks on military affairs, border security and Russia’s suggestion to merge the SDF with the regime forces.
Kurdish sources said Abdi reminded Chaiko that the government forces are deployed in regions held by the SDF under an agreement reached with the Kurdish force and Moscow.
He stressed that the number of forces will remain the same and that they played the role of a buffer between the Turkish army and pro-Ankara Syrian factions.
SDF expressed its readiness to coordinate with and fight alongside the government forces against any Turkish incursion, but there is no need to send additional troops, added Abdi, according to the sources.
He also underscored the need for Syria to use its air defenses against Turkish jets.
Moreover, Abdi urged Russia to bolster its forces in the cities of Manbij and Ain al-Arab (Kobani) in eastern Aleppo.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had threatened to target these areas should his forces carry out a new offensive in Syria.
Russian forces are already deployed in small numbers in these areas.
Abdi said that Russia, as a guarantor of the de-escalation agreements, should prevent any side from exploiting the Turkish threats to make gains on the ground – a reference to government efforts to consolidate its grip over all Syrian territories.
An Israeli military vehicle covered with netting to protect against FPV drones patrols on the Lebanese side of the border, as seen from an undisclosed location along the border, 13 July 2026. (EPA)
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New Round of Lebanon-Israel Talks to Begin on Tuesday
An Israeli military vehicle covered with netting to protect against FPV drones patrols on the Lebanese side of the border, as seen from an undisclosed location along the border, 13 July 2026. (EPA)
The sixth round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel are to begin on Tuesday in Rome, a Lebanese official told AFP on Monday.
The two-day talks will begin at 10.00am (0800 GMT), the official said, requesting anonymity.
An Italian foreign ministry spokesperson had earlier said the talks would be held on July 15 and 16, and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had confirmed on July 7 that the negotiations would resume "next week".
The two countries, which have no formal relations, began direct talks in April after Tehran-backed Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war by attacking Israel in support of Iran the month prior.
They recently reached a framework agreement that calls for Hezbollah's disarmament and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory while Lebanon's army deploys into "pilot zones".
But the agreement -- rejected by Hezbollah -- does not set a timetable for Israel's withdrawal, and Israeli officials have also vowed that their forces will remain in a "security zone" 10 kilometers (six miles) deep along the frontier for as long as Hezbollah remains armed.
A US military delegation met with Lebanon's army in Beirut last week to discuss the implementation of Israel's withdrawal from a first pilot zone.
Yemen Signals Military Action and Diplomatic Move Against Iranhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5295491-yemen-signals-military-action-and-diplomatic-move-against-iran
Yemen Signals Military Action and Diplomatic Move Against Iran
A widely circulated image of an Iranian aircraft at Sanaa Airport (X)
The Yemeni government has escalated its confrontation with Iran over the operation of a flight to Sanaa International Airport, which is under Houthi control. For the first time, it has signaled military options in response to any future violations of Yemeni airspace, while President of the Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi is leading a diplomatic effort with the permanent members of the UN Security Council ahead of the emergency session requested by the government to discuss what it describes as a violation of Yemen's sovereignty.
Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Taher Al-Aqili announced that the armed forces would respond to any aircraft he described as "hostile" that violates Yemeni airspace "using all available means." He said the government had exhausted legal and diplomatic efforts to persuade Iran and the Houthi group not to operate flights outside the approved framework, but that the latest flight represented what he called "a challenge to international legitimacy."
In a statement addressed to the armed forces and the Yemeni people, Al-Aqili said the government, in cooperation with the regional and international communities, had made every legal and diplomatic effort to deter Tehran and the Houthi group from violating Yemeni airspace. He argued that the latest incident differs from previous ones because it constitutes a direct challenge to international legitimacy.
He added that "patience has run out" and that the armed forces "will deliver an appropriate response to this brutal act and confront hostile aircraft violating Yemeni airspace and sovereignty using all available means until we teach the enemy a lesson." He held the Iranian regime legally and morally responsible for any escalation that may occur in the coming period.
This military escalation comes alongside intensified political efforts led by Presidential Leadership Council President Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, who on Sunday held separate meetings with Zhao Zheng, chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Yemen, and Yevgeny Kudrov, Russia's ambassador to Yemen, as part of the government's consultations with the permanent members of the UN Security Council ahead of the emergency session scheduled for Monday.
Al-Alimi meeting with Russia's ambassador to Yemen (Saba)
Diplomatic Effort
According to the Yemeni presidency, Al-Alimi's discussions with the Chinese and Russian officials focused on bilateral relations as well as developments related to the Iranian flight to Sanaa Airport and what the Yemeni government considers a violation of its sovereign authority.
Al-Alimi stressed that the Yemeni government alone is the legally authorized body to grant permits for operating international flights to Yemeni territory. He emphasized that no armed group, regardless of the territory it controls, has the right to exercise sovereign powers or establish foreign relations on behalf of the state.
Al-Alimi also reaffirmed Yemen's firm commitment to the "One China" principle and its rejection of any actions that undermine China's territorial integrity or sovereignty. He expressed his government's appreciation for China's continued support for Yemen's unity and territorial integrity.
In his meeting with the Russian ambassador, Al-Alimi praised the historic ties between the two countries and Russia's role in helping build Yemen's state institutions. He stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen the partnership between the two sides.
A Houthi delegation arrives in Tehran aboard an aircraft that violated Yemeni airspace (X)
A National Alternative for Flights
Al-Alimi explained to the Russian officials that the government does not oppose the operation of Sanaa Airport for civilian purposes, but rejects its use for activities that violate legal frameworks or for military purposes.
He noted that the government had proposed an initiative to continue flights through Yemenia Airways to any destination agreed upon, while providing the necessary guarantees to ensure the safety of the flights and air crews. The proposal also includes the option of chartering an aircraft to transport members of the Houthi group from Tehran in accordance with legal procedures.
He argued that the rejection of this initiative showed that the issue was not humanitarian in nature, as the Houthi group claims, but rather an attempt to replace the national carrier with Iranian flights, which, he said, no responsible government could accept.
Al-Alimi emphasized that managing Yemen's airspace and approving international flights are exclusive sovereign responsibilities of the Yemeni state. He warned that any violation of this principle would not affect Yemen alone, but would set a precedent that armed groups in other parts of the world could exploit to exercise sovereign functions and establish international relations outside the framework of internationally recognized states.
Al-Alimi concluded his meetings by reaffirming his country's commitment to maintaining balanced relations with all countries. He expressed hope for an international position consistent with the principles of the United Nations that protects state sovereignty and prevents any attempts to undermine legitimate state institutions.
Yemen Leader Says Will Not Expand Confrontation after Airport Attackhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5295482-yemen-leader-says-will-not-expand-confrontation-after-airport-attack
Yemen Leader Says Will Not Expand Confrontation after Airport Attack
Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, during the meeting (Saba)
The leader of Yemen's internationally recognised governing council said on Monday that he would not expand his confrontation with the Houthis after his forces hit Sanaa airport to prevent an Iranian plane carrying Houthi delegation from landing.
"I have also ordered that the scope of the confrontation not be expanded in a manner that would achieve Iran's objective of dragging Yemen and its people into wars," said Rashad al-Alimi, who heads the eight-member Presidential Leadership Council.
Al-Alimi also said he had called an emergency meeting of the PLC following the flare-up.
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