Aleppo-Hasaka Road Reopened After Clashes Between Pro-Turkish Factions, Russian Forces

Aleppo-Hasaka Road Reopened After Clashes Between Pro-Turkish Factions, Russian Forces
TT

Aleppo-Hasaka Road Reopened After Clashes Between Pro-Turkish Factions, Russian Forces

Aleppo-Hasaka Road Reopened After Clashes Between Pro-Turkish Factions, Russian Forces

Russia reopened Sunday the M4 international road between Ain Issa and Tel Tamer, one day following intense clashes between the pro-Turkish National Syrian Army (SNA) factions and Russian forces.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the exchange of fire started after the Ankara-backed factions targeted a Russian patrol with machine guns, east of the town.

But, on Sunday, Russian forces reopened the M4 international road connecting Ain Issa and Tel Tamer.

“The road was reopened to the commercial and civil movement, under the protection of Russian forces, which conducted a patrol in the area,” the Observatory said.

It quoted sources as saying that frontlines of Ain Issa have been witnessing a tense calm since Saturday, following the cessation of clashes and the failed attack launched by the Ankara-backed factions to cut off the international road with Russian consent.

The failed attack, which began in the early hours of Friday morning, killed 13 fighters of Ankara-backed factions in landmine explosions and clashes, in addition to three SDF members.

It is worth noting that the map of influence witnessed no changes, as Al-Mushayrafah village is still free of any combatants. As for Jahbal village, the factions are present in the village’s western part, while SDF are still stationed in the eastern part.

Turkey and its backed factions continued to deploy in the east of Ain Issa.

Separately, Syrian regime forces fired rocket-propelled grenades on frontlines in Jabal al-Zawiya in the southern countryside of Idlib.

On Saturday, the Observatory said a member of the opposition factions was killed in shelling by regime forces on the frontlines of the Idlib countryside.



EU Condemns Israel's West Bank Control Measures

The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)
The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)
TT

EU Condemns Israel's West Bank Control Measures

The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)
The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)

The European Union on Monday condemned new Israeli measures to tighten control of the West Bank and pave the way for more settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, AFP reported.

"The European Union condemns recent decisions by Israel's security cabinet to expand Israeli control in the West Bank. This move is another step in the wrong direction," EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni told journalists.


Atrocities in Sudan's El-Fasher Were 'Preventable Human Rights Catastrophe'

Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
TT

Atrocities in Sudan's El-Fasher Were 'Preventable Human Rights Catastrophe'

Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

The atrocities unleashed on El-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region last October were a "preventable human rights catastrophe", the United Nations said Monday, warning they now risked being repeated in the neighbouring Kordofan region.

 

"My office sounded the alarm about the risk of mass atrocities in the besieged city of El-Fasher for more than a year ... but our warnings were ignored," UN rights chief Volker Turk told the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

 

He added that he was now "extremely concerned that these violations and abuses may be repeated in the Kordofan region".

 

 

 

 


Arab League Condemns Israel's Decisions to Alter Legal, Administrative Status of West Bank

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
TT

Arab League Condemns Israel's Decisions to Alter Legal, Administrative Status of West Bank

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

The General Secretariat of the Arab League strongly condemned decisions by Israeli occupation authorities to impose fundamental changes on the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in the West Bank, describing them as a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of international law, international legitimacy resolutions, and signed agreements, SPA reported.

In a statement, the Arab League said the measures include facilitating the confiscation of private Palestinian property and transferring planning and licensing authorities in the city of Hebron and the area surrounding the Ibrahimi Mosque to occupation authorities.

It warned of the serious repercussions of these actions on the rights of the Palestinian people and on Islamic and Christian holy sites.

The statement reaffirmed the Arab League’s firm support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the establishment of their independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.