Syrian Regime Violates Russia Sponsored Truce in Daraa

Recent Russian patrol in Daraa (Sputnik)
Recent Russian patrol in Daraa (Sputnik)
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Syrian Regime Violates Russia Sponsored Truce in Daraa

Recent Russian patrol in Daraa (Sputnik)
Recent Russian patrol in Daraa (Sputnik)

Syrian regime forces pounded the vicinity of opposition headquarters west of the southern governorate of Daraa on Sunday. The Syrian Army’s 4th Armored Division used tanks and heavy machine guns to attack the governorate’s neighborhoods.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the regime’s bombardment followed a two-week ceasefire agreement sponsored by Russia and a few hours ahead of a scheduled meeting between Russian delegates and the Daraa central committees.

Moreover, regime forces barred locals from using the Saraya crossing point to exit the governorate’s capital city, also named Daraa. Central committees have complained against the measure, especially that Russia had vowed to reopen Saraya.

On Saturday, the committees had revealed that a deal had been reached with Russia for a 14-day truce to hold rounds of negotiations. Syrian opposition in Daraa also said they received a Russian roadmap for peacefully ending the military escalation in the southern governorate.

Adnan al-Musalama, the official spokesman of a negotiating committee representing residents of Daraa, had announced that Saturday’s meeting had outlined the main framework for a truce covering the entire south.

According to Musalama, there was an agreement to form a committee from relevant parties to monitor the truce implementations and a Russian patrol running in Daraa starting Sunday.

The Russian patrol was also meant to supervise the ceasefire and inspect field developments.

Moreover, all concerned parties would be receiving a written copy of the Russian roadmap to discuss its items over the coming two weeks.

For starters, the truce deal included running Russian patrols, reopening Saraya, and regulating matters in Daraa’s eastern and western countryside.

The agreement would involve another two stipulations that are up for debate. Those two conditions include the “regularization of the status” of opposition wanted by the regime in preparation for a longer-term ceasefire and opposition handing in their weapons.

Nevertheless, those from the opposition who reject living under regime rule in Daraa, estimated to be 135, would be forcibly evicted to Idlib province under the agreement.



US Targets Houthis with Fresh Sanctions Action

Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
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US Targets Houthis with Fresh Sanctions Action

Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)
Houthi members ride a pick-up truck while on patrol amid tensions with Israel, in Sanaa, Yemen, 18 July 2025. (EPA)

The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on what it said was a Houthi-linked petroleum smuggling and sanctions evasion network across Yemen and the United Arab Emirates in fresh action targeting the Iran-backed militant group.

The US Treasury Department in a statement said the two individuals and five entities sanctioned on Tuesday were among the most significant importers of petroleum products and money launderers that benefit the Houthis.

"The Houthis collaborate with opportunistic businessmen to reap enormous profits from the importation of petroleum products and to enable the group’s access to the international financial system," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Michael Faulkender.

"These networks of shady businesses underpin the Houthis’ terrorist machine, and Treasury will use all tools at its disposal to disrupt these schemes."

Among those targeted on Tuesday was Muhammad Al-Sunaydar, who the Treasury said manages a network of petroleum companies between Yemen and the United Arab Emirates and was one of the most prominent petroleum importers in Yemen.

Three companies in his network were also designated, with the Treasury saying they coordinated the delivery of approximately $12 million dollars’ worth of Iranian petroleum products with a US-designated company to the Houthis.

Since Israel's war in Gaza against the Palestinian group Hamas began in October 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthis have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea in what they say are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.

In January, Trump re-designated the Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization, aiming to impose harsher economic penalties in response to its attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and against US warships defending the critical maritime area.

In May, the United States announced a surprise deal with the Houthis where it agreed to stop a bombing campaign against them in return for an end to shipping attacks, though the Houthis said the deal did not include sparing Israel.

The Israeli military attacked Houthi targets in Yemen's Hodeidah port on Monday in its latest assault on the militants, who have been striking ships bound for Israel and launching missiles against it.