Commander of Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Visits Al-Tanf Base After Drones’ Attack

Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, commander of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, meets with leaders from a Syrian opposition faction in the Al-Tanf base. (Free Syrian Army)
Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, commander of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, meets with leaders from a Syrian opposition faction in the Al-Tanf base. (Free Syrian Army)
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Commander of Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Visits Al-Tanf Base After Drones’ Attack

Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, commander of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, meets with leaders from a Syrian opposition faction in the Al-Tanf base. (Free Syrian Army)
Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, commander of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, meets with leaders from a Syrian opposition faction in the Al-Tanf base. (Free Syrian Army)

The Free Syrian Army (FSA) revealed that an official from the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS held talks with leaders from the FSA on military coordination between both sides.

This comes days after a drones-attack that targeted the Al-Tanf base.

The talks held by Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, commander of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, reflects “joint efforts to secure a lasting defeat of ISIS and to work towards a better future for the region,” according to a statement issued by the Free Syrian Army.

“The meeting discussed joint cooperation and coordination in military affairs, particularly in training and arming,” added the statement.

Three one-way attack drones targeted the Al-Tanf military base in southeastern Syria, according to a statement issued on January 20 by the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

CENTCOM noted that two of the drones were shot down by Coalition Forces while one struck the compound, injuring two members of an opposition Syrian faction.

The US forces did not accuse any party of the attack, AFP reported.

“Attacks of this kind are unacceptable – they place our troops and our partners at risk,” said Joe Buccino, CENTCOM spokesperson.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) suggested that the drones belonged to pro-Iranian groups, explaining that the two injured belonged to the Free Syrian Army which is a US-backed opposition faction active in the Al-Tanf area.

The international coalition forces brought a new convoy to the northeast of Syria, coming from Kurdistan-Iraq region through “Al-Waled” border crossing in Al-Hasakah countryside.

The convoy comprises 40 trucks carrying closed wooden boxes, logistic equipment, and fuel tanks, and headed towards the coalition bases in Al-Hasakah, according to SOHR.

The Observatory added that on January 15, the international coalition forces brought in new military reinforcements, including armored vehicles and fuel tankers, via the Al-Walid border crossing towards its military base in Al-Shaddadi town.



Asharq Al-Awsat Reveals Details of Gaza Ceasefire Proposal

A man inspects the remains of a site that was hit by Israeli bombardment east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 14, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
A man inspects the remains of a site that was hit by Israeli bombardment east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 14, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
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Asharq Al-Awsat Reveals Details of Gaza Ceasefire Proposal

A man inspects the remains of a site that was hit by Israeli bombardment east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 14, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
A man inspects the remains of a site that was hit by Israeli bombardment east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 14, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)

The parties involved in negotiations in the Qatari capital were on Tuesday hoping to finalize a plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip and agree on a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel.

It is likely that the agreement would be announced on Tuesday, unless new obstacles or conditions are imposed by Israel, several sources said. The deal, if reached, is expected to take effect 48 hours after the announcement.

Hamas sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the first phase of the agreement will last 60 days. They said Israeli ground forces will gradually withdraw from the Netzarim and Philadelphi corridors.

The sources familiar with the negotiations in Doha explained that the withdrawal from the Netzarim axis will be immediate. The withdrawal from the Philadelphia axis will begin gradually after 40 to 50 days from the start of the first phase.

Displaced people will be allowed to return on foot starting the seventh day of the ceasefire, without any searches. However, vehicles returning from southern Gaza to the north will be inspected using X-ray scanning equipment operated by Egyptian-Qatari companies, under the supervision and monitoring of several parties, including Israel, to prevent the transport of weapons.

The sources revealed that an agreement was reached on Monday night on a mechanism for the redeployment of Israeli forces, allowing them to remain in the border perimeter at varying distances of up to 700 meters, particularly in areas north of the Gaza Strip.

They clarified that after 40 days, the gradual withdrawal will begin from all areas of the Palestinian enclave, in preparation for negotiations concerning the second phase, during which Israeli forces will make a full withdrawal.

The Palestinian resistance will release women, children, and the elderly in exchange for the release of 1,000 prisoners from Gaza who were arrested during the current war, on the condition that they were not involved in the October 7, 2023, attack, the sources said.

They noted that in the first phase, 200 prisoners serving long sentences will also be released.

Regarding the Rafah crossing, the sources confirmed that it will be gradually reopened, allowing the passage of those who are sick and humanitarian cases out of the enclave for treatment, ensuring freedom of movement without the arrest or targeting of travelers by Israeli forces stationed at the Philadelphi corridor.