Relative of Maher Al-Assad's Wife Buys Real Estate for Iran-Backed Militias

Members of Iranian militias in Syria (SOHR)
Members of Iranian militias in Syria (SOHR)
TT

Relative of Maher Al-Assad's Wife Buys Real Estate for Iran-Backed Militias

Members of Iranian militias in Syria (SOHR)
Members of Iranian militias in Syria (SOHR)

Iranian militias continue to purchase real estate in Moadamiyat al-Sham city in the western countryside of Damascus, reported the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

The Observatory said the Syrian man from Deir Ezzor named "Mersal," a relative of Maher al-Assad's wife, is buying the real estate.

Maher al-Assad is the brother of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and commander of the 4th Division.

The Observatory quoted a source saying Mersal and his followers of the 4th Division and others from Deir Ezzor purchase real estate in Moadamiyat al-Sham, which is of great symbolic importance to Iranian-backed militias and the 4th Division.

Mersal buys as much real estate as possible in the area, whether homes or shops, through various means and methods, such as paying large amounts of money or using force if anyone refuses to sell his property.

SOHR sources added that during Eid al-Adha, Mersal slaughtered dozens of cattle and distributed them to the inhabitants and residents of Moadamiyat al-Sham to lure them and win their affection.

It is worth noting that the properties acquired by Mersal for dozens of Iranian-backed militiamen have not yet been inhabited by anyone and have not been sold.



Biden: Joseph Aoun is ‘First-Rate Guy’

FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
TT

Biden: Joseph Aoun is ‘First-Rate Guy’

FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)

US President Joe Biden welcomed the election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's president on Thursday, saying in a statement that the army chief was the “right leader” for the country.

“President Aoun has my confidence. I believe strongly he is the right leader for this time,” said Biden, adding that Aoun would provide “critical leadership” in overseeing an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.

Aoun's election by Lebanese lawmakers ended a more than two-year vacancy and could mark a step towards lifting the country out of financial meltdown.

“We finally have a president,” Biden said later, at the end of a meeting on the response to major wildfires in the US city of Los Angeles.

He said he had spoken to Aoun by phone on Thursday for “20 minutes to half an hour,” describing the Lebanese leader as a “first-rate guy.”

Biden pledged to continue US support for Lebanon’s security forces, and for Lebanon’s recovery and reconstruction, the White House said in a readout of Biden’s call with Aoun.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Aoun's election “a moment of historic opportunity,” which offered Lebanon a chance to “establish durable peace and stability.”

Aoun, who turned 61 on Friday, faces the difficult task of overseeing the fragile ceasefire with Israel in south Lebanon.

Separately, Biden spoke about the hostage talks between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“We’re making some real progress,” he told reporters at the White House, adding that he had spoken with US negotiators earlier Thursday.

“I know hope springs eternal, but I’m still hopeful that we’ll be able to have a prisoner exchange.”

Biden added: “Hamas is the one getting in the way of that exchange right now, but I think we may be able to get that done. We need to get it done.”