Protests in Syria's Deir Ezzor Demand Release of Detainees Held by SDF

A photo posted on Facebook shows protests in the town of al-Izba.
A photo posted on Facebook shows protests in the town of al-Izba.
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Protests in Syria's Deir Ezzor Demand Release of Detainees Held by SDF

A photo posted on Facebook shows protests in the town of al-Izba.
A photo posted on Facebook shows protests in the town of al-Izba.

Protests broke out in various towns in Syria’s eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, demanding better living conditions and services and the release of detainees held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Local Syrian news websites published Tuesday photos and videos of protests in the towns of al-Izba, al-Sour and Daman.

According to demonstrators, the SDF detained some members of their “Deir Ezzor Military Council” on charges of communicating with external parties hostile to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (Rojava).

The residents also called for improving their living conditions and the equitable distribution of oil and fuel.

They blocked the main roads, set tires on fire, and raised banners condemning the arrests of soldiers who were on duty.

Areas held by the SDF and its civil administration have seen several similar protests, mostly demanding better services, the delivery of oil and fuel shares, fighting corruption, and compensation for people who lost their property in the international military operations against ISIS.



Israeli Ground Troops in Lebanon Reach the Litani River

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese town of Al-Khiam, as seen from northern Israel, 26 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese town of Al-Khiam, as seen from northern Israel, 26 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
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Israeli Ground Troops in Lebanon Reach the Litani River

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese town of Al-Khiam, as seen from northern Israel, 26 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the southern Lebanese town of Al-Khiam, as seen from northern Israel, 26 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)

The Israeli military says its ground troops have reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River — a focal point of the emerging ceasefire.

In a statement Tuesday, the army said it had reached the Wadi Slouqi area in southern Lebanon and clashed with Hezbollah forces.

Under a proposed ceasefire, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Israeli border.

The military says the clashes with Hezbollah took place on the eastern end of the Litani, just a few kilometers (miles) from the border. It is one of the deepest places Israeli forces have reached in a nearly two-month ground operation.

The military says soldiers destroyed rocket launchers and missiles and engaged in “close-quarters combat” with Hezbollah forces.

The announcement came hours before Israel’s security Cabinet is expected to approve a ceasefire that would end nearly 14 months of fighting.