UN Envoy Encourages Kurdish Parties in Syria to Engage in Dialogue

US envoy Nicholas Granger (second left) during his meeting with leaders of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in the city of Qamishli. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
US envoy Nicholas Granger (second left) during his meeting with leaders of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in the city of Qamishli. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

UN Envoy Encourages Kurdish Parties in Syria to Engage in Dialogue

US envoy Nicholas Granger (second left) during his meeting with leaders of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in the city of Qamishli. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
US envoy Nicholas Granger (second left) during his meeting with leaders of the Kurdish Autonomous Administration in the city of Qamishli. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

US State Department Special Envoy to Syria Nicholas Granger is urging Kurdish parties to return to intra-Kurdish talks and resolve outstanding contentious issues between them.

Granger held meetings with leaders of the opposition Kurdish National Council and officials of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.

In a meeting held in the northeastern city of Qamishli, Granger told Kurdish parties that US forces deployed in eastern Syria will remain and continue with their missions to guarantee the defeat of the terrorist ISIS group and promote security and stability.

Granger affirmed the US administration’s commitment to resolving the Syrian crisis through the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

Moreover, the envoy discussed the course of dialogue between Kurdish parties, which have been suspended for two years.

In a phone remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Kurdish official Mohammad Ismail said the delegation headed by the US diplomat “confirmed that Granger was mandated by the US administration to meet and listen to all parties.”

“Granger conveyed Washington's view on many issues in Syria,” said Ismail, explaining that the envoy had discussed the steps for normalization of ties between Türkiye and the ruling Syrian regime, and the US position that opposes any normalization with the Damascus government.

Ismail pointed out that the Kurdish delegation that met with Granger had conveyed concerns about the recent escalation on the Syrian-Turkish border.

Also, the Kurdish delegation discussed the impact of Turkish ground and air attacks on the stability of the region.

Delegation members also relayed concern about waves of displacement.

“The new envoy conveyed to us his support for the Kurdish cause and its people,” members of the delegation said, adding that Granger had reviewed with them the deteriorating economic and living conditions experienced by Kurds in Syria.



Israel Strikes Beirut's Southern Suburbs once Again

Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon November 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon November 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
TT

Israel Strikes Beirut's Southern Suburbs once Again

Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon November 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani
Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs after an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Baabda, Lebanon November 16, 2024. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut’s Haret Hreik area in the southern suburbs again on Friday after evacuation warnings were issued to residents prior to the attacks by an Israeli spokesman.
The Israeli army issued evacuation orders to residents in the areas of al-Hadath and Haret Hreik, as well as several villages in Lebanon’s south requesting they move to north of Awwali River.
When it issues such a warning, Israel cites alleged presence of Hezbollah fighters or infrastructure in civilian areas as a justification for its airstrikes.
Avichay Adraee, spokesperson for the Israeli army, issued an evacuation warning to the residents of the towns of Tayba, Aadchit, Qusayr, and Deir Seryan, as well as to the residents of the towns of Burj al-Shamali and Maashuq in southern Lebanon.
He also requested the evacuation of residents from specific buildings in Hadath and Haret Hreik in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Israeli attacks have killed at least 3,583 people and wounded 15,244 in Lebanon since October 2023, with 25 fatalities reported on Wednesday, the Lebanese health ministry said on Thursday.