Russia Deploys Jets to US-Held Regions in Syria's East
Russian helicopters at Qamishli airport on Saturday. (Russian and Kurdish media)
Ankara, Idlib, Qamishli - Saeed Abdulrazek, Firas Karam and Kamal Sheikho
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Russia Deploys Jets to US-Held Regions in Syria's East
Russian helicopters at Qamishli airport on Saturday. (Russian and Kurdish media)
The Russian military sent fighter helicopters and jets to Qamishli airport in the region east of the Euphrates River in Syria's east, where American forces and their allies, the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), are deployed.
The development took place amid reports that Turkey was preparing to launch an offensive in northeastern Syria.
Six Russian helicopters carried out surveillance flights along the Syrian-Turkish border on Saturday.
An informed military source from the SDF said the Syrian army and Russian forces have reinforced their positions in the cities of Hasakeh and Qamishli and nearby areas.
American forces, meanwhile, deployed patrols in northeastern Syria, inspected the border and listened to the locals' concerns over the possible Turkish operation.
Turkey's current and future military operations on its southern borders do not target its neighbors' sovereignty but are necessary for Turkish security, the country's National Security Council (MGK) said on Thursday.
The MGK statement followed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's declaration on Monday that Ankara would soon launch new military operations on its southern borders to expand 30-km (20-mile) deep safe zones and combat what he described as terrorist threats there.
"Operations being carried out now and in the future to remove the terrorism threat on our southern borders do not target our neighbors' territorial integrity and sovereignty in any way," it said after a three-hour meeting chaired by Erdogan.
Any operations were expected to target northern Syria, where Turkey has launched several incursions since 2016, mainly targeting the US-backed Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).
Erdogan reiterated on Saturday that Turkey was not seeking to undermine the sovereignty of its neighbors, but it will also "not allow anyone to violate Turkish territories."
A YPG spokesman said Saturday the forces were taking Turkey's threats seriously and they were ready to defend their gains, forces and people. "We will resist to the end," he vowed.
He stressed that the forces have committed to the de-escalation agreements and ceasefire reached between Washington, Moscow and Ankara in 2019.
"We withdrew our forces to avoid a war, but are on alert for any attacks," he added.
Moreover, he stressed that any Turkish attack on the regions east of the Euphrates would not be possible without the agreement of international forces.
"We are in daily contact with Moscow and Washington, but we are relying on our forces instead of international ones," he remarked.
Russia and the US are guarantors of the de-escalation agreements with Turkey, so they should assume their responsibilities, he urged.
Iraqis Protest Over Power Cuts in Sweltering Summer Heathttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5294780-iraqis-protest-over-power-cuts-sweltering-summer-heat
Demonstrators gather as they take part in a protest over unemployment, corruption and poor public services, in Baghdad, Iraq October 2, 2019. (Reuters)
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Iraqis Protest Over Power Cuts in Sweltering Summer Heat
Demonstrators gather as they take part in a protest over unemployment, corruption and poor public services, in Baghdad, Iraq October 2, 2019. (Reuters)
Hundreds of residents of an eastern Iraqi city protested on Saturday against power cuts during extreme summer heat, an AFP correspondent said.
Temperatures in the city of Kut have peaked at 44C, with residents organizing protests to urge authorities to boost electricity supply.
Decades of war have left Iraq's infrastructure in a pitiful state, with power failures worsening blistering summers.
On Friday night, hundreds of protesters took to the streets with dozens hurling stones at security forces, who responded by firing tear gas and detaining more than 30 people, according to an AFP correspondent.
The clashes lasted until early morning.
Two local health officials told AFP on condition of anonymity that more than 50 police officers were injured.
It is unclear how many protesters were wounded, with one source estimating the number at around 30.
Protesters have likely avoided reporting themselves to hospital for fear of arrest, a health official said.
Demonstrations against power cuts are frequent in Iraq, especially during the scorching summer months, when temperatures often reach 50C.
In the oil-rich country, many households have just a few hours of state electricity per day, and those who can afford it use private generators to keep fridges and air conditioners running.
Iraq is the second-largest oil producer in the OPEC cartel, but despite its immense oil and gas reserves, it remains dependent on imports to meet its electricity needs.
Egyptian Source to Asharq Al-Awsat: Cairo Hosts Egyptian-Israeli Talks to Avert Renewed Gaza Warhttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5294737-egyptian-source-asharq-al-awsat-cairo-hosts-egyptian-israeli-talks-avert-renewed
Egyptian Source to Asharq Al-Awsat: Cairo Hosts Egyptian-Israeli Talks to Avert Renewed Gaza War
Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a vehicle in Gaza City, July 9, 2026. (Reuters)
An Egyptian source familiar with the Gaza ceasefire negotiations told Asharq Al-Awsat that Egyptian and Israeli delegations met in Cairo in recent hours as part of intensive efforts to prevent complications that could jeopardize the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
On Thursday evening, Israel’s public broadcaster reported that a delegation of senior Israeli military officers had arrived in Cairo and held talks over the previous two days with senior Egyptian military officials on advancing to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The meeting coincided with the presence in Cairo of a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya, which is holding talks with mediators on preserving the Gaza agreement signed in October.
The Egyptian source said a US delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo for consultations on Gaza and continued talks with Hamas in an effort to salvage mediation. The source added that there are growing indications Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may resume the war for electoral gain.
According to the source, the Cairo talks focused on proposals presented last week that Hamas had rejected. The Israeli delegation conveyed a message it had delivered to Nickolay Mladenov, the High Representative for the Board of Peace, warning that if current efforts based on revised draft proposals fail, Israel will move ahead with military operations inside Gaza.
Over the past three months, Mladenov has put forward proposals centered on disarming Gaza as a prerequisite for reconstruction. Hamas has objected, insisting that the remaining commitments of the agreement’s first phase, particularly an Israeli withdrawal, be implemented first.
Displaced Palestinian children refill water containers in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday July 4, 2026. (AP)
The source said the Israeli delegation reiterated that Hamas must comply with the agreement, foremost by accepting the proposed disarmament formula.
Mediators are consulting Hamas on accepting a clear and direct text to be conveyed to Mladenov to move the process forward and avert renewed Israeli military action.
The source also warned of mounting indications that Netanyahu could opt for military escalation ahead of elections expected in the coming months, citing opinion polls showing stronger support for rivals including Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett.
The source added that Mladenov has refused to amend the current proposals and continues to insist that Hamas engage with them seriously.
According to the source, the Israeli delegation expressed its willingness to cooperate with Egypt’s “responsible efforts,” while warning that Hamas’s intransigence would inevitably lead to renewed confrontation.
The source said Egypt’s decision to host the Israeli delegation despite regional tensions reflects Cairo’s openness to all parties and its determination to bridge differences.
Egypt is engaging all sides, the source added, because of the worsening humanitarian situation and fears that renewed fighting would lead to further targeted killings of field commanders and a broader deterioration on the ground.
A US delegation may soon arrive in Cairo for further consultations.
Egypt is coordinating closely with Türkiye and Qatar to maximize pressure on the Israeli government, according to the source. Cairo also plans contacts with Washington aimed at ensuring US adherence to the existing peace framework and preventing alternative tracks or new proposals from Mladenov that could further complicate negotiations.
The source did not rule out Hamas continuing to play for time while monitoring US-Iran developments and awaiting the outcome of its internal elections, potentially delaying major decisions and leaving negotiations in limbo.
Even so, the source said Egypt is racing against time to prevent renewed Israeli military action as Israeli elections and the US midterm elections approach, warning that both could derail diplomatic efforts.
Iraqi Judiciary Opens Door to 'Conditional Settlements' to Recover Corruption Fundshttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5294711-iraqi-judiciary-opens-door-conditional-settlements-recover-corruption-funds
Iraqi Judiciary Opens Door to 'Conditional Settlements' to Recover Corruption Funds
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi receives Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan in Baghdad. (Government press office)
Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council announced Friday that it is coordinating with the government on legal mechanisms aimed at combining accountability for corruption with the recovery of public funds.
The proposal could allow reduced legal measures or lighter sentences for defendants who voluntarily return embezzled money under amendments to the General Amnesty Law.
Meanwhile, the recent security operation, dubbed Dawn Assault, has exposed divisions within the ruling Coordination Framework, according to political sources and public statements.
In a statement, the council said its objective is to both hold perpetrators of financial and administrative corruption accountable and recover state funds, adding that these goals could be achieved by easing legal procedures or reducing sentences “within constitutional and legal limits.”
The council noted that the approach was first adopted in the Tax Deposits case, widely known as the “Heist of the Century.” The case centers on the fraudulent withdrawal of tax deposits lodged by foreign companies with the General Commission for Taxes as guarantees for project implementation.
The funds were allegedly siphoned off through irregular procedures involving brokerage firms, including Al-Qant and Al-Mubdeoon Oil Services Company, owned by businessman Noor Zuhair, with the help of government employees.
According to the council, the head of the Supreme Judicial Council and then-Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani agreed, with the approval of the investigating judge, to release Zuhair on bail in exchange for repaying the money in installments and receiving a reduced sentence.
The arrangement led to the recovery of 365 billion Iraqi dinars (about $252 million) out of 1.618 trillion dinars (about $1.12 billion) owed by the two companies. Overall, about 3.831 trillion dinars (roughly $2.64 billion) were withdrawn from Rafidain Bank through multiple companies.
According to the council, Zuhair later left Iraq, bringing repayments to a halt. He was subsequently tried in absentia, sentenced to 10 years in prison, and became the subject of extradition proceedings through Arab and international police channels.
Following amendments to the General Amnesty Law, Zuhair’s lawyer requested that his client be covered by the legislation in exchange for repaying the remaining funds. The court sought the Finance Ministry’s opinion, as the injured party, on the proposed repayment mechanism but has yet to receive a response, leaving the request pending.
The council added that 12 employees of the General Commission for Taxes have been sentenced to prison for facilitating the withdrawals and may qualify under the amended amnesty law after paying compensation determined by the Finance Ministry.
An photo released by the Iraqi judiciary shows cash seized inside boxes and bags marked with the Iraqi Central Bank's seal.
It also noted that an investigation into former Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, whose government was in office when the crime occurred, was closed for lack of evidence.
The same approach could also be applied in the North Refineries Company case involving detained suspect Adnan al-Jumaili and several current and former lawmakers, provided the alleged offenses predated the amended amnesty law and the outstanding funds are repaid.
Crimes committed after the law took effect are not eligible for amnesty.
The judiciary is now coordinating with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on a constitutional and legal “roadmap” aimed at recovering public funds while easing legal measures against those who voluntarily return them.
Separately, the June 28 Dawn Assault operation inside Baghdad’s Green Zone, which resulted in the arrest of dozens of corruption suspects, triggered criticism within the Coordination Framework.
An informed source told Asharq Al-Awsat that several alliance leaders were caught off guard by the operation and the deployment of tanks and armored vehicles, raising concerns that military force could be used more broadly in the future.
The source added that al-Zaidi defended the measures during his first meeting with Coordination Framework leaders after the operation, arguing that the armored deployment was necessary to seal off the Green Zone while the arrests were carried out.
The source also said several lawmakers managed to leave the Green Zone minutes before the operation began, some of them affiliated with armed factions.
The absence of any response from those groups during the operation further heightened concerns among some Coordination Framework leaders.
Legal expert Jamal al-Asadi told Asharq Al-Awsat that Iraqi law has no provision allowing financial settlements in corruption cases or other criminal offenses.
He noted, however, that the amended General Amnesty Law includes specific provisions covering those convicted of embezzlement or squandering public funds, subject to prescribed legal conditions.
In televised remarks, leading member of the Coordination Framework Amer al-Fayez said all alliance leaders except former PM al-Sudani criticized the government for failing to notify them in advance of the operation.
While backing efforts to pursue corruption suspects, he objected to the use of tanks during the arrests, arguing that although the prime minister was under no obligation to disclose operational details, the Coordination Framework, as “the state’s highest governing authority,” should have been informed.
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