SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi to Asharq Al-Awsat: Our Forces Cannot Be Dismantled

SDF forces are seen in the Hasakah countryside on September 7 (AFP). In the frame, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi.
SDF forces are seen in the Hasakah countryside on September 7 (AFP). In the frame, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi.
TT

SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi to Asharq Al-Awsat: Our Forces Cannot Be Dismantled

SDF forces are seen in the Hasakah countryside on September 7 (AFP). In the frame, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi.
SDF forces are seen in the Hasakah countryside on September 7 (AFP). In the frame, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi.

Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi warned against “comprehensive normalization” between Ankara and Damascus.

In an interview to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said such an approach serves the interests of the Ankara government and will lead to many risks on the lives of the Syrian people.

The approach will not be conducive to reaching a serious political solution, he added. “We must urge our Syrian people to stand against such a deal” between Ankara and Damascus, stressed Abdi.

The majority of the countries involved in the Syrian crisis are convinced that any Turkish military operation in northeastern Syria will lead to major suffering among the Syrian people, he continued.

The Turkish army carried out during the past two years 70 drone attacks that targeted civilians and top military commanders that were combating ISIS, he said.

Furthermore, he noted that several rounds of dialogue have been held between Damascus and top officials in northeastern Syria, but the talks did not lead to tangible results.

“The SDF cannot be militarily dismantled into individuals here and there. These forces have ongoing missions to defend Syrian territories and they boast a unique organizational structure. It is in our interest to maintain and support these forces,” he urged.

On the political crisis, Abdi said decentralization was key to the political solution. He noted that the regime acted in a decentralized manner when it was on the verge of collapse.

“Logically, the American or Russian deployment cannot remain in Syria forever. As long as the political solution remains out of reach, then we must urge the parties to act as guarantors of a negotiated political solution and exert pressure to end foreign meddling and the occupation of our territories,” he added.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave several signals that he may potentially normalize ties with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. How do you view this?

Actually, the security ties have been ongoing for years. The two sides are only now discussing comprehensive normalization.

The Turkish government has said that normalization hinges on the deportation of Syrian refugees and reining in the power of the autonomous democratic authority in north and eastern Syria. There is talk about various reconciliations to determine the fate of military factions that are operating under the Turkish military in the occupied regions.

We believe that this approach reflects the interests of the Ankara government and will lead to many dangers to the future of the Syrian people. Such reconciliations are only a temporary tactic that will soon lead to the re-emergence of other issues, as we have seen in Daraa, for example.

In general, the normalization they are talking about will not lead to a serious political solution. We cannot tackle the suffering of the Syrian people in this way, especially after long years of destructive war.

Are you concerned about a Moscow-sponsored deal between Damascus and Ankara?

We are taking this issue seriously and taking measures to address it. Should the deal be struck, then it will target the will of our people, who have been fighting terrorism for years and bravely defending Syrian territories. We should also emphasize that the deal would exploit the Syrian refugees for political purposes.

We must warn our Syrian people of the need to stand against this deal, which consolidates Turkish interference in our internal affairs and makes it a constant source of crises.

Any deal should reflect the will of the Syrian people alone. It can be achieved through open political dialogue between the political parties. In spite of all the challenges, the fate of our country still lies in our hands. That way, we as Syrians, will determine, the framework that suits us. This cannot happen through deals that are being struck at the expense of our wounded people.

Syrian national security chief Ali Mamlouk had met with Turkish intelligence chief Hakan Fidan. There has been talk about security cooperation against the SDF. Does this alarm you?

As we have said, security contacts have been ongoing. Now, as the Turkish elections draw near, the Turkish side has started to take open steps. The Syrian regime must not join such tradeoffs at the expense of the Syrian people. Moreover, the SDF has for years been defending the unity of the country against foreign meddling in order to preserve Syrian sovereignty. The SDF is still cracking down on terrorist remnants with the cooperation of the international coalition.

The terrorism we are fighting is a threat to all Syrian territories. Our forces are therefore, protecting all citizens from Damascus to Aleppo, Daraa, Latakia and other regions. The presence of the SDF is a guarantee of the unity of the country against global terrorism and blatant foreign meddling. Damascus must prioritize the national interest and refuse to be dragged into short-sighted political calculations.

Erdogan has warned that he may launch a military operation in northern Syria. He has spoken about establishing a “safe zone”, but the operation has not been carried out yet. How do you interpret this?

The Turkish threats have never really ceased. Everyone realizes that such an operation will bring about more suffering on the Syrian people and the unity and sovereignty of their country.

We believe that the majority of the countries that are involved in Syria share this view. And yet, we must not claim that the threat has eased. Self-defense is a legitimate right and we are working with that view in mind. We will act against any possible development.

Turkish officials have claimed that you have not committed to agreements and understandings, including the ones reached in 2019. They claim that you have not withdrawn the SDF forces 32 kilometers away from the Turkish border.

Such claims are blatant propaganda aimed at prolonging the war and justifying it against the citizens. For our part, we have committed to the agreements and still respect them. The other side is violating the agreements. We constantly urge the guarantor countries to deter the ongoing Turkish violations.

Türkiye is an occupying force and it has no intention to withdraw from our territories. It carries out daily attacks against the best military commanders who are leading operations against ISIS cells. It is also carrying out attacks against political leaderships and civilians, including women and children. It has waged its attacks through drones and forces on the ground with the support of its allied factions.

Even agricultural fields and cattle have not been spared from the Turkish attacks. These practices are flagrant violation of international law and relevant international treaties that seek to limit the barbarity of the war.

We want to use your platform to urge the guarantor parties to again assume their responsibilities against the series of daily flagrant violations.

Are the drone attacks still ongoing?

Of course. Over the past two years, Ankara has launched over 70 drone attacks. This year alone, it struck 59 targets against civilians, our regions and forces.

As the Turkish elections draw near, Erdogan will try to divert the Turkish public’s opinion from the severe crises that emerged from his internal policy and seek to export his problems through becoming more engaged in wars and with extremist movements.

What assurances have you received from Washington?

The United States has officially announced that it stands against the military operations, but we believe that this stance is not enough to deter the Turkish violations because Ankara has kept up its war approach through other means.

That is why we urge each of Moscow and Washington to commit to the agreements and understandings that have been reached with Türkiye and firmly impose a de-escalation mechanism and rules of engagement.

Of course, rights and legal mechanisms must also be in place in case of any violations so that parties committing war crimes in northeastern Syria and all occupied territories are held to account.

What of the Russia-sponsored dialogue with Damascus?

We are in contact with Damascus and several rounds of dialogue have been held, but we cannot say that we have reached positive results.

We firmly believe that the dialogue is the only way to save the nation. We are always open to dialogue and understandings with Syrian parties, including Damascus. We are approaching the dialogue with the national interest, the rights of the citizens and unity of the country in mind.

Russia has reinforced its positions at Qamishli airport given the Turkish threats. How do you view these reinforcements? Do they support you or are they aimed at provoking Washington?

In truth, we are coordinating with Russia over the de-escalation operation and ensuring the implementation of understandings that have been signed with Türkiye. Perhaps the Russian move is logistical. We haven’t seen any actual changes on the ground.

Damascus has previously demanded the dismantling of the SDF and that it merge with the army. What do you say about that?

Let us make one thing clear, as it is known, the SDF is working very hard on combating terrorism and defending Syrian territories in the northeast. The forces operate within their areas of jurisdiction and derive their legitimacy from the local social environment: The Kurds, Arabs and Syriacs. It has gained field and social expertise through its fight against terrorism.

The SDF cannot be dismantled militarily into individuals. These forces have constant field missions in defending Syrian territories, including northeastern regions where they are deployed. It also boasts a unique organizational structure and it is in the interest of our people and territories to consolidate and support these forces.

What about the future of the autonomous administration? What is your position towards Damascus’ proposal on decentralization?

Unfortunately, the idea of decentralization has been tarnished given the lack of the voice of reason in the country. We believe that there can be no tackling of Damascus, Daraa, Sweida, Idlib, Latakia and Qamishli’s problems through the central bureaucratic apparatus that caused the current crisis.

There is a false belief in Damascus that its field advances, against factions that are complicit with Türkiye, support the centralized model. This is far from the truth and will pave the way for a new crisis in the future.

We believe that decentralization is key to the political solution. It reinforces the will of the people in determining their own fate and way of life. It offers them opportunities of local development in areas that have been marginalized for decades.

Decentralization also bolsters national cohesion. Everyone in Syria is now criticizing the centralized system, especially after the eruption of the conflict. Even the regime in Damascus is critical of it.

In order to confront the challenges, we must distribute responsibilities, duties and rights across all regions. Agreement on general principles, through our constitution, rights of our citizens, and national and economic security, must be centralized. Decentralization is the practical local implementation of these rights.

The loyalty of the citizens and national components is deepened through their local sphere. Therefore, making concessions for the rights of the citizens is a purely political and moral act.

How has the Ukraine war affected equations in the area east of the Euphrates and the roles of Türkiye and Russia?

The rules of engagement have not changed, but the impact has been felt in inflation, food security, energy and the rise in prices.

We are also observing Türkiye’s growing role in the Ukrainian conflict. Unfortunately, Ankara is exploiting this role to further its own agenda and its war policy against our regions in northern and eastern Syria. We have been discussing with the concerned international parties the need to prevent Türkiye from exploiting its role to further its occupation agenda in our regions. We are also taking our own measures to confront it.

The deployment of American forces has been unchanged since the arrival of President Joe Biden to the White House. Do you sense that troops will be deployed indefinitely?

Logically, the American and Russian presence cannot last for forever. As long as the political solution remains out of reach, then we must urge these parties to act as guarantors in a negotiated political solution and exert pressure to end the foreign meddling and occupation of our territories.

Terrorism is also a problem. The local means alone are not enough to confront terrorism. Cooperation with the international coalition is therefore necessary to that end. The same applies to the Russian forces. Serious initiatives must be activated to reach the political solution.

The autonomous administration has allowed investments in the region east of the Euphrates. Are there any projects underway?

Given the current challenges, we are seeking to diversify sources of income and the economy. We are encouraging investments to meet our needs. On the practical level, we are working on the implementation of these projects.

What about tasking the US Defense Department in handling the investments and American sanctions waivers?

The region has witnessed massive destruction by terrorism. We therefore, positively view these waivers. The aim is to improve the living conditions of the people, secure job opportunities and develop projects, especially in infrastructure, electricity, water and agriculture.



US Targets Syrian Money Service Businesses in Fresh Sanctions

The Treasury Department is pictured in Washington, US, April 25, 2021. (Reuters)
The Treasury Department is pictured in Washington, US, April 25, 2021. (Reuters)
TT

US Targets Syrian Money Service Businesses in Fresh Sanctions

The Treasury Department is pictured in Washington, US, April 25, 2021. (Reuters)
The Treasury Department is pictured in Washington, US, April 25, 2021. (Reuters)

The United States on Tuesday imposed punitive measures on two Syrian money service businesses it said help the government maintain access to the international financial system in violation of sanctions, in Washington's first action targeting Syria since its readmittance to the Arab League earlier this month.

The US Treasury Department in a statement accused the two money service businesses, Al-Fadel Exchange and Al-Adham Exchange Company, of helping President Bashar al-Assad's government and its allies, Hezbollah and Iran's Quds Force, an arm of its Revolutionary Guards (IRGC).

The sanctions were imposed under the Caesar Act that also levied a tough round of sanctions on Syria in 2020.

The United States has said it will not normalize ties with Assad and has said Syria did not merit readmission into the Arab League.


Iraqi Kurdistan 2022 Parliament Extension Unconstitutional, Supreme Court Rules

In this picture taken on May 16, 2023, people walk past the citadel of Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. (AFP)
In this picture taken on May 16, 2023, people walk past the citadel of Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. (AFP)
TT

Iraqi Kurdistan 2022 Parliament Extension Unconstitutional, Supreme Court Rules

In this picture taken on May 16, 2023, people walk past the citadel of Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. (AFP)
In this picture taken on May 16, 2023, people walk past the citadel of Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq. (AFP)

Iraq's federal supreme court ruled on Tuesday that a one-year extension of the term of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region parliament in 2022 was unconstitutional and undermined democracy in the country, its top judge Jassim Mohammed said.

All decisions issued by the regional parliament from the date of its term extension on Oct. 9, 2022, were therefore considered null and void, Mohammed said.

Kurdistan, which has enjoyed wide autonomy from Baghdad since the 1990s, has in the past ignored rulings by the federal supreme court, including a Feb. 2022 ruling that deemed its oil and gas law unconstitutional.

With its capital in Erbil, Kudistan is home to more than 5 million people out of Iraq's 43 million population and produces about 450,000 barrels of oil per day, though exports were halted in March.

Baghded-Erbil relations have been fractious for years with disagreements over energy resources and disputed territories.

The ruling could raise tensions amid discussions over a draft federal budget that the Kurdistan Regional Government has said includes changes it opposes.

Ruling Kurdish parties, including the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), agreed to the 2022 extension after failing to reach consensus on a new electoral law.

They pledged to hold elections in November 2023, but have yet to reach consensus on new regulations.

On May 22, KDP and PUK lawmakers brawled inside the regional parliament's chamber during discussions on electoral regulations, a sign that agreement remained far off.


Libya Court Sentences 23 to Death for ISIS Campaign

Suspects sit behind bars during a judgement sentence against 56 defendants accused of joining ISIL [ISIS], in a court in Misrata, Libya [Ayman al-Sahili/Reuters]
Suspects sit behind bars during a judgement sentence against 56 defendants accused of joining ISIL [ISIS], in a court in Misrata, Libya [Ayman al-Sahili/Reuters]
TT

Libya Court Sentences 23 to Death for ISIS Campaign

Suspects sit behind bars during a judgement sentence against 56 defendants accused of joining ISIL [ISIS], in a court in Misrata, Libya [Ayman al-Sahili/Reuters]
Suspects sit behind bars during a judgement sentence against 56 defendants accused of joining ISIL [ISIS], in a court in Misrata, Libya [Ayman al-Sahili/Reuters]

A Libyan court sentenced 23 people to death and another 14 to life in prison on Monday for their role in a deadly ISIS militant campaign that included beheading a group of Egyptian Christians and seizing the city of Sirte in 2015.

The Attorney General's office said in a statement that one other person was sentenced to 12 years in prison, six to 10 years, one to five years and six to three years while five were acquitted and three others died before their case came to trial.

ISIS's Libyan branch was one of the militant group's strongest outside its original territory in Iraq and Syria, taking advantage of the chaos and warfare that followed a 2011 NATO-backed uprising, Reuters said.

In 2015 it launched an attack on the luxury Corinthia Hotel in Tripoli, killing nine people, before abducting and beheading dozens of Egyptian Christians whose deaths it featured in grisly propaganda films.

After gaining territory in Benghazi, Derna and Ajdabiya in eastern Libya, the group seized the central coastal city of Sirte, holding it until late 2016 as it enforced a harsh regime of public morality backed up by brutal punishments.

Mustafa Salem Trabulsi, head of an organization for bereaved families of people killed or disappeared by the group said he had hoped that all the suspects would face the death penalty but he accepted the outcome.

"My son is missing and my relative, my brother-in-law, was murdered in Sirte Square," he said.

Speaking in court on Monday, Fawzia Arhuma said she welcomed the death sentences after her son was killed by the group at a power station near Sirte.

"Today my son raised my head. Today I buried my son," she said.

 


After Erdogan’s Elections Victory, Türkiye Holds Back on Assad Meeting

A view shows a roundabout with a sculpture featuring the Turkish flag and the Syrian opposition flag, in the opposition-held city of Azaz, Syria May 15, 2023.(Reuters)
A view shows a roundabout with a sculpture featuring the Turkish flag and the Syrian opposition flag, in the opposition-held city of Azaz, Syria May 15, 2023.(Reuters)
TT

After Erdogan’s Elections Victory, Türkiye Holds Back on Assad Meeting

A view shows a roundabout with a sculpture featuring the Turkish flag and the Syrian opposition flag, in the opposition-held city of Azaz, Syria May 15, 2023.(Reuters)
A view shows a roundabout with a sculpture featuring the Turkish flag and the Syrian opposition flag, in the opposition-held city of Azaz, Syria May 15, 2023.(Reuters)

Türkiye has slowed down the pace of its efforts to normalize ties with Syria.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has no plans to hold talks with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in the first presidential statement following Erdogan’s reelection for a third five-year term on Sunday.

"So far, there is no date for such a meeting... We need to see what steps the Syrian side will take," he said in a televised interview on Monday.

The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Russia, Syria and Iran had met in Moscow on May 10 to push forward normalization between Ankara and Damascus.

At the time, Turkish FM Mevlut Cavusoglu said intense efforts will be made to normalize relations, hinting that a meeting between Erdogan and Assad may be held this year.

The only obstacle to the meeting was the Turkish military deployment in northern Syria.

Assad had said that he would not meet his Turkish counterpart before the complete troop withdrawal.

For his part, Erdogan had stressed that Türkiye will not pull out its forces and that they would continue their mission to combat “terrorist organizations” - a reference to the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that Ankara views as an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

Cavusoglu had warned that the withdrawal will allow such groups to fill the void left by the Turkish troops.


Egypt is Open to ‘Positive Iranian Signals’ on Developing Relations

Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during his reception of the Sultan of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, and his accompanying delegation (Khamenei website)
Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during his reception of the Sultan of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, and his accompanying delegation (Khamenei website)
TT

Egypt is Open to ‘Positive Iranian Signals’ on Developing Relations

Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during his reception of the Sultan of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, and his accompanying delegation (Khamenei website)
Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during his reception of the Sultan of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, and his accompanying delegation (Khamenei website)

Iran has displayed several signs about its willingness to boost bilateral relations with Egypt, according to well-informed Egyptian sources on Tuesday.

 

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Cairo is open to developing bilateral ties with Tehran in a manner consistent with the main political determinants that govern Egypt's regional policies.

 

Relations between Egypt and Iran have often been fraught in recent decades, although the two countries have maintained diplomatic contacts.

 

The sources pointed out that the repeated Iranian signals regarding developing relations with Egypt "were welcomed."

 

They recalled Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's statement last July, who said that the "development of relations between Tehran and Cairo is in the interest of both nations."

 

It was followed by a tweet by the head of Iran's Interests Section Office in Cairo, Mohammad Hossein Soltanifar, praising what he said is Egyptian rejection of an American alliance project against Iran.

 

Soltanifar continued to hint at the improvement of relations between Cairo and Tehran through an article he published in the Iran Daily newspaper and reported by the Iranian News Agency on Saturday.

 

He said the current developments "require raising the bilateral relations between the two countries... to the desired political level."

 

In December, the Iranian foreign minister welcomed a proposal by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani aimed at "launching a dialogue between Cairo and Tehran."

 

During their meeting in Jordan, Amir-Abdollahian said the Iraqi prime minister expressed the desire to launch Iranian-Egyptian talks on the security and political levels, which leads to improving ties between the two nations.

 

On March 06, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Tehran hoped relations with Cairo would be restored, adding that Iran is taking advantage of all opportunities to improve foreign relations, including with Egypt.

 

Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei received Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said during his visit to Iran.

 

During the meeting, the Sultan of Oman pointed to Egypt's willingness to resume relations with Iran, and Khamenei emphasized that Iran welcomes this position and has no problems in this regard.

 

Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy told Asharq Al-Awsat that recent reports about Cairo's desire to improve its ties are a "principled position," noting that both sides are interested in developing relations.

 

Fahmy added that over the past years, during his position as a minister, he had maintained contacts with Iranian authorities, adding that officials discussed the importance of developing the bilateral relations and "favored that."

 

Observers believe the Iranian signals, including Khamenei's statements, coincide with changes to ease regional tensions.

 

In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore diplomatic relations under a deal brokered by China.

 

Fahmy pointed out that after the death of the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, in Cairo, Iran pursued a harsh policy towards the Arab world in general, including Egypt, with an attempt to export the "revolution" at a particular stage.

 

He indicated that with the change in Iranian policy, it was logical for Arab countries to test the waters to see if this reflects a strategic shift towards the Middle East.

 

The diplomat believes there is a shift in the Iranian position, hoping that improving relations with regional countries will be a priority and primary concern.

 

Fahmy referred to the Saudi-Iranian agreement and the Egyptian-Iranian contacts, which he considered a prelude to discussing the restoration of relations, especially after the visit of the Omani leaders to Cairo and Tehran.

 

Member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, Nourhan al-Sheikh, believes that fundamental determinants regulate the normalization of relations between Cairo and Tehran.

 

Sheikh explained that some of these determinants have already been achieved, such as the Gulf acceptance and reassurances regarding the security of the Gulf countries.

 

She told Asharq Al-Awsat that the second determinant is Iran's position on supporting Islamic movements, asserting the importance of this issue which requires reassurances that Tehran would not interfere in Egypt's domestic affairs.

 

 

 


UN Warns More Than One Million May Flee Sudan Fighting by October

Filippo Grandi, head of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reacts during an interview with Reuters in Cairo, Egypt May 29, 2023. (Reuters)
Filippo Grandi, head of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reacts during an interview with Reuters in Cairo, Egypt May 29, 2023. (Reuters)
TT

UN Warns More Than One Million May Flee Sudan Fighting by October

Filippo Grandi, head of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reacts during an interview with Reuters in Cairo, Egypt May 29, 2023. (Reuters)
Filippo Grandi, head of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reacts during an interview with Reuters in Cairo, Egypt May 29, 2023. (Reuters)

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi warned on Monday that estimates that about a million people might flee Sudan by October may be conservative and conflict there risks increasing people trafficking and spreading weapons across a fragile region

More than 350,000 people have already fled across Sudan's borders since war between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted on April 15, with most heading to Egypt, Chad and South Sudan.

Furthermore, within Sudan itself, more than one million people have been displaced due to heavy fighting in the capital Khartoum and violence in Darfur.

The UNHCR initially predicted that around 800,000 Sudanese and 200,000 foreigners would leave Sudan in six months, but Grandi now believes these figures may be an underestimation.

Speaking during an interview in Cairo, Grandi said: “This projection, that in the next few months we'll reach these high figures, may even be conservative.”

“At the beginning, I didn't believe it would be, but now I'm beginning to be worried,” he said, according to Reuters.

Sudan's neighbors, Ethiopia, Central African Republic and Libya have faced political upheaval or conflicts themselves.

Grandi expressed concern about the collapse of law and order in Sudan and said that with “a lot of people desperate to move on” the situation is ripe for creating conditions for human trafficking. He also said that the circulation of arms across borders could fuel the violence.

“We've seen it in Libya with the Sahel. We don't want a repeat of that because that will be a multiplier of crisis and of humanitarian problems,” he added.

The United Nations has appealed for $470 million for its refugee response to the Sudan crisis over six months, an amount that Grandi said was just 1% funded, adding that a donor pledging conference was “very much needed” and that an international community preoccupied by Ukraine was not paying enough attention.

“You can clearly sense a disparity which is very dangerous. This crisis has the potential to destabilize an entire region and beyond as much as Ukraine does in Europe,” he warned.

Grandi said the UNHCR was trying to establish a presence in the northern Sudanese town of Wadi Halfa, where many Sudanese men aged 16-50 have become stuck applying for visas to enter Egypt, but that he was not sure when this would be possible. Women, children and the elderly do not need visas.

He said aid needed to be delivered into a buffer zone between the Egyptian and Sudanese border posts where those fleeing have also faced long waits.


Tehran Seeks to Upgrade Syria’s Air Defenses

International affairs official at the Ministry of Defense Hamzah Kalandari. (websites)
International affairs official at the Ministry of Defense Hamzah Kalandari. (websites)
TT

Tehran Seeks to Upgrade Syria’s Air Defenses

International affairs official at the Ministry of Defense Hamzah Kalandari. (websites)
International affairs official at the Ministry of Defense Hamzah Kalandari. (websites)

Iran wants to boost the Syrian military by upgrading the country's air-defense with medium and long-range systems to confront threats, an Iranian official in the Defense Ministry said Monday according to the Fars news agency.

 

Deputy Defense Minister for International Affairs Brigadier General Hamzeh Ghalandari told the news agency that although Syria possesses air-defense capabilities, the country is witnessing a wide range of threats.

 

“We have declared openly and publicly that we, along with our Syrian brothers, seek to strengthen the Syrian air defense in various ways,” Ghalandari said.

 

He affirmed that Iran will support Syria with equipment and tactical upgrades.

 

“In light of the air threats against Syria, efforts are underway to strengthen its air defense capabilities by using medium and long ranges systems,” he noted, adding that the type of systems will be announced in due course.

 

On Monday, Syrian news outlets said Syrian army air defenses confronted an Israeli missile.

 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said government air defense sites near Damascus where fighters from the Iran-backed Hezbollah group are present were targeted.

 

Meanwhile, the official Syrian news agency, SANA, said Syrian air defenses have shot down incoming Israeli missiles.

 

It quoted a military source as saying that the attack took place at about 23:45 pm local time on Sunday.

 

The source added that the missile strike targeted some areas in the vicinity of Damascus.

 

“Our air defenses intercepted the [Israeli] aggression’s missiles and shot down some of them,” the source said, adding that the attack only led to material damages.

 

SOHR reported that one site north of the capital lying around 10 kilometers (six miles) from the Lebanese border was also a target. Five Hezbollah fighters were reportedly wounded.

 

Another site between the airport and the Sayyida Zeinab area southeast of the capital where Iran-backed forces are present was also targeted, the Britain-based war-monitor, which has a vast network of sources on the ground in Syria.

 

Since the start of the war in Syria in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes against regime positions as well as Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah forces, allies of Damascus and arch-foes of Israel.

 

Israel rarely comments on the strikes on a case-by-case basis, but says it seeks to prevent Iran establishing a foothold on its doorstep.

 

 


Iraqi National Security Adviser Visits Iran to Discuss Border Issues

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Akbar Ahmadian receives Iraqi National Security Adviser, Qasim al-Araji in Tehran on Monday. (Mehr)
Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Akbar Ahmadian receives Iraqi National Security Adviser, Qasim al-Araji in Tehran on Monday. (Mehr)
TT

Iraqi National Security Adviser Visits Iran to Discuss Border Issues

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Akbar Ahmadian receives Iraqi National Security Adviser, Qasim al-Araji in Tehran on Monday. (Mehr)
Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Akbar Ahmadian receives Iraqi National Security Adviser, Qasim al-Araji in Tehran on Monday. (Mehr)

Iraqi National Security Adviser Qasim al-Araji arrived in Iran on Monday at the head of a high-ranking security delegation to discuss tightening security measures on the border between the two countries.

The visit comes at the directives of Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, said Araji's press office.

Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Akbar Ahmadian met with Araji, calling for the quick activation of a recent security agreement between their countries, reported Iranian media.

Ahmadian said the agreement underscores the role of the Iraqi government in ending the presence of "dissident" elements on the border, a reference to Iranian Kurdish opposition groups.

The meeting was Ahmadian's first official appearance after his appointment to his post. He succeeded Ali Shamkhani, whose last foreign visit was to Baghdad in March where he signed the border agreement.

Araji's visit comes two days after extensive meetings with security and political leaders in Sulaymaniyah and Erbil in the Kurdistan region, during which he met head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Bafel Talabani.

Araji’s talks in Kurdistan and Tehran likely focused on the activities of the Iranian Kurdish parties that have used Kurdish regions to launch attacks against Iran.

On March 19, Iraqi PM Sudani sponsored the joint security agreement between Baghdad and Tehran.

The agreement calls for coordination in "protecting the common borders" and "consolidating cooperation in several security fields."

A source close to the PUK said the security arrangements aim to protect the Iranian borders from the movements of the opposition parties and prevent Iraqi regions, especially Kurdish ones, from coming under Iranian retaliatory bombardment.

The source, who preferred not to be named, noted that even though the border stretches 1,200 kilometers, the focus is really on a few kms between Iran and the Sulaymaniyah and Erbil provinces.

He remarked that the governments in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah and the federal government in Baghdad have been unable to rein in the Iranian opposition groups, some of which have been deployed in the rugged joint border for nearly three decades.

All parties want to avoid angering Tehran, he stated.

Tehran has for years been calling on the Kurdish authorities to control the borders and expel Kurdish militants and party headquarters, especially in the town of Koysanjak, located 60 kilometers east of Erbil, and in the Zirkuiz region.

The source said over six Kurdish opposition parties have headquarters in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah. The majority of them usually mobilize their supporters in Iran to hold protests and other activities in opposition to the authorities, most notably in regions that are predominantly Kurdish.


Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: No New Developments Related to Election of Lebanese President

01 October 2020, Lebanon, Beirut: Speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri speaks during a press conference. (Lebanese parliament/dpa)
01 October 2020, Lebanon, Beirut: Speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri speaks during a press conference. (Lebanese parliament/dpa)
TT

Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: No New Developments Related to Election of Lebanese President

01 October 2020, Lebanon, Beirut: Speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri speaks during a press conference. (Lebanese parliament/dpa)
01 October 2020, Lebanon, Beirut: Speaker of the Lebanese parliament Nabih Berri speaks during a press conference. (Lebanese parliament/dpa)

Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri is unlikely to call the legislature to convene to elect a new president given the lack of “real competition” that would yield a result from a vote.

 

Lebanon has held eleven sessions to elect a president. The country’s top post has been vacant since late October and political rivals have since then been squabbling over a candidate.

 

A western diplomatic source told Asharq Al-Awsat that regional and international powers “don’t mind” the election of former minister Suleiman Franjieh, but their patience has an “expiration date”.

 

Lebanese officials have been informed by the powers that the Arab and international community “doesn't mind” the election of any figure, including Franjieh, but that the election should be done within a deadline.

 

There is a pressing need to elect a president given the dire state of affairs in Lebanon, they went on to say. They also cited the instability on the international scene, which makes Lebanon the least of concerns for global powers if Lebanese officials don’t seize the initiative and reach an agreement over a president.

 

Such an agreement is a priority, but so is the need for Lebanon to launch real reforms that would restore the international community’s trust in the country.

 

The new president must be able to kick off the reform process, said the source.

 

The patience the international community has shown may end if the local powers continue to stumble in electing a president, it warned.

 

An agreement over a candidate appears unlikely given the “sectarian vetoes” over the two current nominees: Franjieh and former minister Jihad Azour. If the dispute persists, then Lebanese officials are better off coming up with a third candidate that is accepted by all parties.

 

Berri told Asharq Al-Awsat that he had received no information about any “expiration date”, stressing that he will not call for a parliament session to elect a president knowing that it would end in failure like the eleven others.

 

The speaker had previously underlined the need to elect a president before June 15, before the term of Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh ends in July. Failure to elect a president by then will lead to monetary instability in Lebanon, he warned.

 

Berri added that he wants the election of a president as soon as possible, but at the same time, he refuses to call for an electoral session that would end in failure.

 

Meanwhile, Hezbollah, which backs Franjieh’s nomination, has continued its attack on the opposition and its possible agreement on Azour as a presidential candidate.

 

Hezbollah deputy secretary general Sheikh Naim Qassem said a “national Christian president is a better option for Lebanon than a president coming from a sectarian background.”

 

“Abandon petty interests and let’s elect a free president who would save the country and would not be hostage to those who elected him,” he tweeted.

 

Head of the Kataeb Party MP Sami Gemayel criticized Qassem’s statement, saying: “Does this mean we have to either agree to your challenging candidate or always succumb to your dictates?”

 

“Don’t you have any other options besides destructive ones? Your confusion is both laughable and lamentable,” he tweeted.


Arab League Calls for Strengthening Stability of Global Food Market

A joint civilian inspection team comprising officials from the Russian Federation, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations visited the merchant vessel Razoni on 3 August 2022. (UNOCHA/Levent Kulu)
A joint civilian inspection team comprising officials from the Russian Federation, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations visited the merchant vessel Razoni on 3 August 2022. (UNOCHA/Levent Kulu)
TT

Arab League Calls for Strengthening Stability of Global Food Market

A joint civilian inspection team comprising officials from the Russian Federation, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations visited the merchant vessel Razoni on 3 August 2022. (UNOCHA/Levent Kulu)
A joint civilian inspection team comprising officials from the Russian Federation, Türkiye, Ukraine and the United Nations visited the merchant vessel Razoni on 3 August 2022. (UNOCHA/Levent Kulu)

The Arab League (AL) on Monday called for strengthening the stability of the global food market and reducing the food gap at the global level, affirming its support for all efforts in this regard, an AL statement said.

 

The statement came following a meeting between AL Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and UN Coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative Abdullah Dashti.

 

The spokesman for the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Jamal Rushdi, said that during the meeting, Aboul Gheit expressed his support for the Initiative that provides the needed grains to most consuming countries, including Arab countries.

 

The AL Chief hoped the Initiative would receive support from all parties to ensure its continuation.

 

Meanwhile, the UN coordinator explained the Initiative’s mechanisms of action and its implementation in coordination with the two warring parties, Russia and Ukraine.

 

“Since its announcement in July 2022, the Initiative provided more than 50 million tons of commodities and grains to the global market. Arab countries benefited from a third of this quantity,” Dashti said.

 

Rushdi thanked the UN coordinator for his efforts and his team to implement the Initiative, despite the difficult security and political circumstances.

 

He then stressed the importance of the Initiative’s continuation to enhance the stability of the global food market, which is witnessing alarming rises in the prices of basic materials.