Head of Libya’s GNU: Time of Military Coups Is Over

Dbeibah seen at the event at al-Khoms city. (GNU)
Dbeibah seen at the event at al-Khoms city. (GNU)
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Head of Libya’s GNU: Time of Military Coups Is Over

Dbeibah seen at the event at al-Khoms city. (GNU)
Dbeibah seen at the event at al-Khoms city. (GNU)

Head of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah declared that the “time of military coups is over.”

In remarks on International Youth Day on Friday, he vowed to prevent war from again erupting in the country.

“We don’t want wars and those seeking destruction must look at the missing, amputees and martyrs. We say to those who want power through military coups that their time is over,” he stressed.

He added that his message is addressed to those “who want destruction and a return to war.” He stressed, however, that “there can be no turning back.”

Moreover, Dbeibah said the will of the people cannot be ignored.

He accused the east-based parliament and the High Council of State of extending their own terms to prolong the transitional period rather than hold elections.

“We have no choice but to hold elections,” stressed Dbeibah. “We support the staging of free and transparent polls.”

Turning to the parliament, he urged: “Stop meddling with the people. Approve constitutional regulations so that we can hold the elections.”

Later, Dbeibah attended an event in al-Khoms city to announce residential loans to needy youths and families.

Local media said Dbeibah attempted to appeal to the youth, while some members of the crowd chanted “Al-Fateh”, a reference to late ruler Moammar al-Gaddafi.



Syrian Army Takes Control of Tishrin Dam from SDF

Syria's Tishrin Dam. (File photo)
Syria's Tishrin Dam. (File photo)
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Syrian Army Takes Control of Tishrin Dam from SDF

Syria's Tishrin Dam. (File photo)
Syria's Tishrin Dam. (File photo)

Syrian army troops have deployed near the Tishrin Dam in the eastern countryside of Aleppo province, setting up military positions in what appears to be a step toward assuming control of the facility from the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Pro-government broadcaster Syria TV cited an official source on Monday as saying the military had entered the outskirts of the Tishrin Dam area and established military outposts in preparation for a handover of the strategic site.

The dam, located near the city of Manbij, has been under the control of the Kurdish-led SDF, which played a key role in the fight against ISIS in northern Syria with the backing of the US-led coalition.

Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and SDF leader Mazloum Abdi signed an agreement on March 10 aimed at integrating all civil and military institutions of the Kurdish-led autonomous administration in northern and northeastern Syria into the Syrian state.

Syrian authorities, the SDF, and Türkiye had reached an agreement, brokered by the United States, for the transfer of the Tishrin Dam to the Syrian government.

Under the deal, the military will deploy forces around the dam, while teams from Damascus have already begun maintenance and upgrading works on the facility.

The agreement aims to bring an end to the fighting that had erupted between Syrian factions loyal to Türkiye, which have integrated into the Syrian army, and the SDF. The clashes, which had persisted for over three months since December 12, have now subsided.

On Thursday, Türkiye’s Ministry of Defense announced that Ankara is closely monitoring the implementation of the agreement regarding the handover of the dam.

The deployment of Syrian forces around the dam comes amid reports of renewed tensions in the area, which had been relatively calm for nearly a month. Syria’s state-run Syria TV reported that the military had sent reinforcements to areas previously affected by clashes with the SDF.

Additionally, reports said the SDF and Syrian forces were on alert after Turkish drones launched an attack near the dam, following the death of a fighter from Türkiye-backed factions in the region. The situation continues to evolve as both sides remain on edge in the strategic area.