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Russians Slam Assad for Dodging Political Responsibilities

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting in Damascus in September 2020. AFP
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting in Damascus in September 2020. AFP
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Russians Slam Assad for Dodging Political Responsibilities

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting in Damascus in September 2020. AFP
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their meeting in Damascus in September 2020. AFP

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's recent statements have attracted wide-spread criticism from Russian circles that accused him of seeking to dodge political obligations.

Not heeding the significance of Russia’s intervention in 2015 about the course of war in Syria, Assad commented on the Iranian presence and stressed that the war in Syria will continue in the direction of the eastern Euphrates region and Idlib.

Assad spoke in an interview with Russia’s state-run news agency RIA Novosti

Displaying clear contrast with Russian public policy on the situation in Syria, Assad downplayed the work of the constitutional committee, a matter which Moscow highly values.

When asked about the moment that symbolizes a turning point during the conflict, Assad pointed out that there are many transformative moments.

“It’s been now nearly ten years since the war started, so we have many turning points that I can mention, not only one,” Assad said.

He, however, confirmed the significance of 2013, the year when, according to Assad, government forces began to liberate a number of areas, especially in central Syria.

“Then in 2014, it was in the other direction when ISIS appeared suddenly with American support and they occupied a very important part of Syria and Iraq at the same time; this is when the terrorists started occupying other areas, because ISIS was able to distract the Syrian Army from fulfilling its mission in liberating the western part of Syria,” the president added.

As though he was belittling the event of Russian forces stepping into Syria, Assad said: “Then the other turning point was when the Russians came to Syria in 2015 and we started liberating together many areas. “

“In that stage, after the Russians came to Syria to support the Syrian Army, I’d say the turning point was to liberate the eastern part of Aleppo; this is where the liberation of other areas in Syria started from that point.”

When asked about the war ending in Syria, Assad said: “No, definitely not. As long as you have terrorists occupying some areas of our country and committing different kinds of crimes and assassinations and other crimes, it’s not over, and I think their supervisors are keen to make it continue for a long time. That’s what we believe.”

There is a gap between Assad’s statement and the Russian vision for developments in Syria, which leans more towards a political settlement for the conflict.

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Arab World

Syrian Detainees Held in Iraq Return to Spotlight After Zaidan’s Damascus Visit

Syrian security forces at the entrance to al-Hol camp before its evacuation. (EPA file photo)
Syrian security forces at the entrance to al-Hol camp before its evacuation. (EPA file photo)
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Syrian Detainees Held in Iraq Return to Spotlight After Zaidan’s Damascus Visit

Syrian security forces at the entrance to al-Hol camp before its evacuation. (EPA file photo)
Syrian security forces at the entrance to al-Hol camp before its evacuation. (EPA file photo)

The fate of Syrian detainees transferred to Iraq from prisons formerly run by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has returned to the spotlight following a visit by Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council President Judge Faiq Zaidan to Damascus on Thursday, where talks with Syrian officials, including President Ahmed al-Sharaa, focused on their cases.

Relatives of some detainees accused of belonging to ISIS insist they had no ties to the group and were arrested by the SDF over politically motivated allegations, including opposition to ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

They renewed calls for their return to Syria, a review of the charges against them and the release of those whose guilt cannot be established.

Ibrahim Abbas, from the al-Dhahiriya village east of Qamishli in the Hasakeh province, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the SDF arrested his nephews, Abdul-Azim Ahmed and Alaa al-Din Hassan al-Abbas, in 2017 because of their opposition to Assad.

Abbas, a member of the Arab Zuweid tribe, maintained that neither of the men had any connection to ISIS.

Relatives had been allowed to visit them regularly at al-Malikiyah prison before they were abruptly transferred to Qamishli prison, he revealed.

When the international coalition requested lists of ISIS prisoners for transfer to Iraq, the SDF included both men.

“They were 20 years old when they were arrested and are now nearly 30,” Abbas said, calling for their return to Syria and fresh investigations.

Those proven to have belonged to ISIS should be prosecuted, he added, while those against whom no evidence is found should be released.

In mid-February, Iraq’s Justice Ministry published the nationalities of ISIS prisoners transferred from detention facilities in northern Syria formerly run by the SDF to Iraq in a US Central Command-led operation. The number of Syrians transferred totaled 3,543.

Syrian activist Suheb al-Yaarobi said coordination between Damascus and Baghdad over the detainees’ return had been advancing before it was disrupted by tensions stemming from the US-Israel war on Iran.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that some detainees had no connection to ISIS and had been imprisoned by the SDF on “malicious” accusations before being classified as members of the group and transferred to Iraq.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa receives Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council President Judge Faiq Zaidan in Damascus last week. (SANA)

Both Baghdad and Damascus want the prisoners returned to Syria, Yaarobi said, but a key obstacle is the lack of detention facilities there.

Judge Laith Jabr, head of Iraq’s Judicial Supervision Authority, said Zaidan’s talks in Damascus focused on the Syrian detainees and their legal status. Iraqi authorities had conducted judicial investigations and provided them with all legal safeguards, he added.

The two sides agreed to establish joint judicial committees that will meet regularly to resolve issues related to the detainees’ trials.

Informed sources said Iraq and Syria were close to signing an agreement governing the transfer and prosecution of Syrian detainees held in Iraq.

International law expert Al-Moutassim al-Kilani told Asharq Al-Awsat that an accusation by the SDF or inclusion on a security list was not, in itself, sufficient legal proof of ISIS membership.

Rather than mass releases or collective trials, Kilani advocated a joint Syrian-Iraqi judicial mechanism to distinguish among detainees lacking credible evidence; those awaiting Iraqi judgments who could be transferred for prosecution in Syria; suspects accused of crimes committed in Iraq or against Iraqis; and prisoners serving final Iraqi sentences who could potentially complete their terms in Syria under a bilateral arrangement.

A fifth category should cover potential victims of arbitrary detention or torture, he suggested.

Detainees and their lawyers should be given access to case files and allowed to challenge the legality of detention and seek investigations into allegations of abuse. Convictions should not be based solely on coerced confessions or security reports that cannot be independently scrutinized, he stressed.

Arab World

Sudan’s Al-Burhan Backs Inclusive Dialogue but Pledges to Continue Fighting the RSF

Al-Burhan flanked by Yasser Al-Atta and Shams El Din Kabbashi during the Army Day celebration (Transitional Sovereignty Council Media)
Al-Burhan flanked by Yasser Al-Atta and Shams El Din Kabbashi during the Army Day celebration (Transitional Sovereignty Council Media)
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Sudan’s Al-Burhan Backs Inclusive Dialogue but Pledges to Continue Fighting the RSF

Al-Burhan flanked by Yasser Al-Atta and Shams El Din Kabbashi during the Army Day celebration (Transitional Sovereignty Council Media)
Al-Burhan flanked by Yasser Al-Atta and Shams El Din Kabbashi during the Army Day celebration (Transitional Sovereignty Council Media)

The Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and Commander of the Sudanese Army, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has approved an initiative to launch a dialogue that brings together all political and civil parties.

Despite his announcement, he pledged to continue fighting until the rebellion of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is defeated across the country.

Speaking on Friday on the 72nd anniversary of the Sudanese Armed Forces, al-Burhan said: "In light of this troubled political reality, a group of Sudanese citizens took the initiative to present their vision to work as an independent national mechanism to prepare for an inclusive Sudanese dialogue, with the goal of reaching a comprehensive national consensus that puts the country on the path to stability."

He added that he agreed to provide the necessary guarantees for holding the all-party talks, facilitate the participation of the different groups, and protect their safety.

Al-Burhan stressed that the state was willing to provide the necessary logistical support as well as legal, political, and security guarantees, without being the organizing entity of the dialogue.

He noted that providing these guarantees does not mean the state will dictate the participants of the dialogue, draft its agenda, control its outcomes, or provide it with political sponsorship.

Al-Burhan clarified that "the action taken by the state regarding any of the participants in the dialogue is not considered a pardon, but rather means suspending the criminal proceedings previously taken by the state against them."

He stated that these measures represent a "temporary immunity" to create appropriate conditions that ensure the participation of the parties.

The Sudanese army commander also pledged legal protection for the opinions and positions expressed by participants, saying statements made during dialogue sessions would not be used as grounds for legal prosecution.

A-Burhan said the army was ready to engage with any serious peace initiative but would not accept what he called an “incomplete peace” that returned the RSF and its supporters to power.

He stated that the army would continue the “completion of the cleansing of the country from the terrorist militia.”

The path to peace must begin with RSF forces withdrawing from cities and gathering in designated areas, followed by the return of displaced people and refugees to their homes, he added.

The Democratic Bloc welcomed al-Burhan’s announcement to hold the all-party talks.

Its spokesperson, Mohamed Zakaria, said Saturday that al-Burhan’s emphasis on the importance of inter-Sudanese dialogue and the need to create a conducive environment for its launch represents a significant step towards addressing the crisis through a national political process.

He called on all sides to engage positively with any serious effort to launch a comprehensive national dialogue, provided that the process is managed entirely by Sudanese parties and that the regional and international role is limited to facilitation and support without interfering in determining participants or imposing an agenda or outcomes.

Arab World

Egypt, China Consolidate Cooperation by Holding Air Combat Maneuvers

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and China’s President Xi Jinping held summit talks in the Chinese capital, Beijing, in May 2024. Photo: Egyptian Presidency
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and China’s President Xi Jinping held summit talks in the Chinese capital, Beijing, in May 2024. Photo: Egyptian Presidency
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Egypt, China Consolidate Cooperation by Holding Air Combat Maneuvers

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and China’s President Xi Jinping held summit talks in the Chinese capital, Beijing, in May 2024. Photo: Egyptian Presidency
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and China’s President Xi Jinping held summit talks in the Chinese capital, Beijing, in May 2024. Photo: Egyptian Presidency

Egypt and China have consolidated their military cooperation by announcing new air combat drills that are set to start this month.

"The Chinese and Egyptian air forces will hold Eagles of Civilization 2026 joint training in Egypt from mid-August to early September," said Senior Colonel Chen Xi, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), at a press briefing on Friday.

"The training will focus on such subjects as air combat tactics, air superiority operations, and combat search and rescue, and will include force employment drills," said the spokesperson.

"As the second iteration of its kind, the joint training will further enhance mutual trust and traditional friendship, deepen substantive cooperation between the Chinese and Egyptian militaries, and contribute to regional peace and stability," stressed the spokesperson.

The joint air force exercise between China and Egypt "Eagles of Civilization 2025" was held in April last year at an Egyptian air base. It marked the first-ever military air drill between the two nations and the first time the Chinese PLA Air Force systematically deployed multiple troop types to the African continent.

In May 2024, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing to mark the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

The leaders declared 2024 the "Egypt-China Partnership Year,” signing bilateral agreements on the Belt and Road Initiative, technology, and industrial localization.