Syria: Daraa Residents Relieved by 5fth Legion’s Growing Role

Russia's S-400 air defense missile systems standing at an airfield at the Hmeimim airbase, Syria, November 26, 2015. Russia Defense Ministry/AFP
Russia's S-400 air defense missile systems standing at an airfield at the Hmeimim airbase, Syria, November 26, 2015. Russia Defense Ministry/AFP
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Syria: Daraa Residents Relieved by 5fth Legion’s Growing Role

Russia's S-400 air defense missile systems standing at an airfield at the Hmeimim airbase, Syria, November 26, 2015. Russia Defense Ministry/AFP
Russia's S-400 air defense missile systems standing at an airfield at the Hmeimim airbase, Syria, November 26, 2015. Russia Defense Ministry/AFP

A rise in the role of the Fifth Legion, supported by the Russian Hmeimim base, has been applauded by the people of Daraa in southern Syria, and many young people have shown great interest in joining its ranks.

On Tuesday, a videotape showed hundreds of elements joining the forces of the Legion in the citadel square in the city of Busra al-Sham, in the presence of many of Houran dignitaries, military leaders, officers and forces of the Russian Military Police.

People raised slogans that read, “Syria belongs to its people and not to anyone’s farm.” A military parade, formed of two combat groups, chanted against the Syrian regime and the Iranian presence in the country.

According to local sources, hundreds of elements have rushed to join the Fifth Legion since its announcement of the recruitment process.

The sources added that new rounds of recruitment will see around 15,000 more elements joining the legion’s ranks.

This came after an agreement between the leadership of the Fifth Legion in Daraa with the central committees, local figures and the leaders of the factions operating in coordination with Russia, with the aim to protect their areas within the Russian-backed Legion.

The invitation addressed to the residents of Daraa emphasized the need “to build the future of Syria, fulfill our promises to protect our youth and unify our efforts to serve our people in the southern region and Syria in general through one entity and one army.”



Italian FM Meets Syria's Sharaa in Damascus

Italian FM Meets Syria's Sharaa in Damascus
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Italian FM Meets Syria's Sharaa in Damascus

Italian FM Meets Syria's Sharaa in Damascus

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met Syria's new ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus Friday, state media said, in the latest such visit from a European diplomat since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

State news agency SANA did not give further details about Tajani and Sharaa's discussions, just over a month after opposition fighters seized Damascus and Assad fled to Moscow.

Tajani earlier met his new counterpart Asaad al-Shibani, after which the Syrian official said he would soon make his first official tour of Europe.

Tajani spoke of easing the sanctions imposed on the war-torn country under its former leader.

"The sanctions absolutely must not hit the Syrian population," he said.

"They were imposed because there was a different regime. It's important to open discussions on the changed situation."

Western powers, including the United States and the European Union, imposed sanctions against Assad's government for his brutal crackdown after anti-government protests in 2011 that triggered civil war.

More than 13 years of conflict have killed in excess of half a million people, ravaged the economy, and pushed millions of people to flee their homes, including to Europe.

Tajani arrived after hosting talks with European counterparts and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Rome on Thursday, where Tajani said they are seeking a "stable and united Syria.”

The European Union's top diplomat earlier Friday said the 27-nation bloc could begin lifting sanctions if Syria's new rulers took steps to form an inclusive government that protects minorities.

"The EU could gradually ease sanctions provided there is tangible progress," foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wrote on X.

Shibani said he welcomed what he described as Tajani's focus on sanctions.

"We share his opinion that the reasons for imposing them no longer exist, and could be an obstacle to encouraging the return of refugees from outside Syria,” Shibani said.

Tajani earlier toured the landmark Umayyad mosque in Damascus.

"It's a great pleasure... to be here this morning to visit and pay homage to all Syrian believers," he told AFP at the mosque, which is about 1,300 years old.

He described the mosque as "one of the most beautiful" in the world.

The Italian minister earlier said he planned to announce an initial development aid package for Syria.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock visited Damascus last week.