Coalition Aircraft Fly Over Iran-Backed Militias' ‘Capital’ in Eastern Syria

A Syrian army soldier stands on a damaged building in Deraa al Balaad, Syria, September 9, 2021. REUTERS/Yamam al Shaar
A Syrian army soldier stands on a damaged building in Deraa al Balaad, Syria, September 9, 2021. REUTERS/Yamam al Shaar
TT

Coalition Aircraft Fly Over Iran-Backed Militias' ‘Capital’ in Eastern Syria

A Syrian army soldier stands on a damaged building in Deraa al Balaad, Syria, September 9, 2021. REUTERS/Yamam al Shaar
A Syrian army soldier stands on a damaged building in Deraa al Balaad, Syria, September 9, 2021. REUTERS/Yamam al Shaar

International coalition aircraft flew over al-Mayadeen, described as the capital of Iran-backed militias, in eastern Syria.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Friday increased air traffic, especially drones, over Mayadeen, al-Ashara town, and Buqrus village in Der Ezzor’s countryside.

Meanwhile, reports stated that four missiles launched from a military site belonging to the Iranian militias near the industrial secondary school in Mayadeen targeted a base of the international coalition within the al-Omar field.

The Observatory added that the Iranian militias mobilized their forces, and four-wheel drive vehicles loaded with heavy machine guns and anti-aircraft weaponry arrived at a military center at the paper mill in Husseiniya, north of Deir Ezzor.

Meanwhile, the US Central Command (Centcom) announced that missiles targeted the international coalition forces in one of its bases in northeastern Syria without causing casualties.

The statement read: "At approximately 9:32 pm local time in Syria, rockets targeted Coalition Forces at the Green Village base in northeast Syria. The attack resulted in no injuries or damage to the base or coalition property."

Centcom indicated that the US forces in northeast Syria are investigating the incident.

Agence France Presse noted that the US leadership did not accuse any party but made it clear that the US forces deployed in the region were investigating the incident.

"Attacks of this kind place coalition forces and the civilian populace at risk and undermine the hard-earned stability and security of Syria and the region," said Joe Buccino, Centcom spokesman.

The area of eastern Syria is an essential route for the Iraqi battalions, the Lebanese Hezbollah, and other pro-Iranian groups. According to AFP, it is used to transfer weapons, fighters, and various goods between Iraq and Syria.

Earlier in November, a convoy of fuel tanks and weapons belonging to Iran-backed fighters was subjected to airstrikes after crossing from Iraq into eastern Syria, killing 14 people, according to the Syrian Observatory.

The coalition denied that any of its forces, including Americans, were responsible for carrying out the raid.

Over the years, trucks carrying weapons and ammunition, warehouses, and military sites of the pro-Tehran groups have been subjected to airstrikes, especially between al-Mayadeen and al-Bukamal.

About 900 American soldiers are still deployed in northeastern Syria and at the al-Tanf base near the Syrian-Jordanian-Iraqi border triangle.

Meanwhile, a Syrian checkpoint intercepted a US military convoy that tried to enter the al-Damkhiya in Qamishli.

Meanwhile, the official Syrian News Agency (SANA) quoted local sources as saying that five US military vehicles tried to enter al-Damkhiya village in Qamishli's countryside.

Members of an army checkpoint intercepted and expelled it outside the area, local sources told SANA on Friday.



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.