New Syria PM says all religious groups’ rights ‘guaranteed’

New Syria PM says all religious groups’ rights ‘guaranteed’
Syria's new transitional prime minister Mohammad Al-Bashir chairing a meeting of the new cabinet in Damascus on Dec. 10. (AFP)
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Updated 11 December 2024
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New Syria PM says all religious groups’ rights ‘guaranteed’

New Syria PM says all religious groups’ rights ‘guaranteed’
  • Millions of Syrians who fled the country urged to return home
  • Militants also pledge justice for victims of Bashar Assad’s regime

DAMASCUS: Syria’s new prime minister said the Islamist-led alliance that ousted president Bashar Assad will “guarantee” the rights of all religious groups and called on the millions who fled the war to return home.
Assad fled Syria after a lightning offensive spearheaded by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) group and its allies, which brought to a spectacular end five decades of brutal rule by his clan.
Syrians across the country and around the world erupted in celebration, after enduring a stifling era during which anyone suspected of dissent could be thrown into jail or killed.
With Assad’s overthrow plunging Syria into the unknown, its new rulers have sought to assure members of the country’s religious minorities that they will not repress them.
They have also pledged justice for the victims of Assad’s iron-fisted rule, with HTS leader Abu Mohammed Al-Jolani vowing on Wednesday that officials involved in torturing detainees will not be pardoned.
Half a million people have been detained since the start of the war, with about 100,000 dying either under torture or due to poor detention conditions, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor.
“We will not pardon those involved in torturing detainees,” said Jolani, now using his real name Ahmed Al-Sharaa, urging “countries to hand over any of those criminals who may have fled so they can be brought to justice.”
In the corridors of Damascus’s main hospitals, thousands of families gathered to try to find the bodies of loved ones captured years ago by the authorities.
“Where are our children?” women cried out as they grasped at the walls, desperate for closure after their years-long ordeal.
Sunni Muslim HTS is rooted in Syria’s branch of Al-Qaeda and is proscribed as a terrorist organization by many Western governments, though it has sought to moderate its rhetoric.
“Precisely because we are Islamic, we will guarantee the rights of all people and all sects in Syria,” said Mohammad Al-Bashir, whom the militants appointed as the transitional head of government.
Asked whether Syria’s new constitution would be Islamic, he told Italian daily Corriere della Sera that “we will clarify all these details during the constituent process.”
Bashir, whose appointment was announced Tuesday, is tasked with heading the multi-ethnic, multi-confessional country until March 1.
After decades of rule by the Assads, members of the minority Alawite offshoot of Shiite Islam, Syrians now face the enormous challenge of charting a new course as they emerge from nearly 14 years of war.
Roaming the opulent Damascus home of Assad, Abu Omar felt a sense of giddy defiance being in the residence of the man he said had long oppressed him.
“I am taking pictures, because I am so happy to be here in the middle of his house,” said the 44-year-old.
“I came for revenge. They oppressed us in incredible ways.”
In the Assads’ heartland Qardaha, the tomb of the former leader’s father was set alight, AFP footage showed, with fighters in fatigues and young men watching it burn.
The war has killed more than 500,000 people and forced half the population to flee their homes, with six million of them seeking refuge abroad.
In his interview with Corriere della Sera, which was published on Wednesday, Bashir called on Syrians abroad to return to their homeland.
“Mine is an appeal to all Syrians abroad: Syria is now a free country that has earned its pride and dignity. Come back,” he said.
He said Syria’s new rulers would be willing to work with anyone so long as they did not defend Assad.
Assad was propped up by Russia, where he reportedly fled, as well as Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group.
On Wednesday, the Kremlin said it wanted to see rapid stabilization in Syria, as it criticized Israel over hundreds of air strikes it conducted on its neighbor over the past two days.
“We would like to see the situation in the country stabilized somehow as soon as possible,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Russia was continuing to discuss the fate of its military infrastructure in the country with Syria’s new leadership, he added.
Iran said Assad’s overthrow was the “product of a joint US-Israeli plot.”
While Assad had faced down protests and an armed rebellion for more than a decade, it was a lightning offensive launched on November 27 that finally forced him out.
The militants launched their offensive from northwest Syria on the same day that a ceasefire took effect in the Israel-Hezbollah war in neighboring Lebanon.
That war, which killed thousands in Lebanon, saw Israel inflict staggering losses in Hezbollah ranks.
Assad’s overthrow raises the question of whether Hezbollah will ever recover, given that it had long relied on Syria as a conduit for supplies from Iran.
Qatar and Turkiye, on the other hand, historically backed the opposition.
Qatar said Wednesday it would reopen its embassy in Damascus “soon,” while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected in Turkiye on Friday to discuss developments in Syria.
Robert Ford, the last US ambassador to Syria, helped spearhead the terrorist designation of HTS in 2012.
But he pointed with hope to post-victory statements by Al-Jolani, including welcoming international monitoring of any chemical weapons that are discovered.
“Can you imagine Osama bin Laden saying that?” said Ford, now a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute.
“I’m not saying trust Jolani. He’s obviously authoritarian. He’s obviously an Islamist who doesn’t believe that Christians have an equal right to power as Muslims. But I sure as hell want to test him on some of these things,” he added.


Israeli forces start withdrawing from areas in Gaza’s Rafah to corridor along Egypt-Gaza border, pro-Hamas media says

Israeli soldiers move along the Philadelphi Corridor along the border with Egypt, in the Gaza Strip on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024.
Israeli soldiers move along the Philadelphi Corridor along the border with Egypt, in the Gaza Strip on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024.
Updated 58 min 36 sec ago
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Israeli forces start withdrawing from areas in Gaza’s Rafah to corridor along Egypt-Gaza border, pro-Hamas media says

Israeli soldiers move along the Philadelphi Corridor along the border with Egypt, in the Gaza Strip on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024.
  • Netanyahu earlier warned that a ceasefire wouldn’t go forward unless Israel received the names of hostages to be released, as agreed

CAIRO: Israeli forces started withdrawing from areas in Gaza’s Rafah to the Philadelphi corridor along the border between Egypt and Gaza, pro-Hamas media reported early on Sunday.

 


Houthis warn of ‘consequences’ for any attacks on Yemen during Gaza ceasefire

This picture taken on March 7, 2024 shows the Rubymar cargo ship partly submerged off the coast of Yemen. (AFP)
This picture taken on March 7, 2024 shows the Rubymar cargo ship partly submerged off the coast of Yemen. (AFP)
Updated 19 January 2025
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Houthis warn of ‘consequences’ for any attacks on Yemen during Gaza ceasefire

This picture taken on March 7, 2024 shows the Rubymar cargo ship partly submerged off the coast of Yemen. (AFP)
  • An initial 42-day truce in the Israel-Hamas war is scheduled to begin at 0630 GMT Sunday
  • “The American aircraft carrier was forced to leave the theater of operations,” the rebels’ statement said

SANAA: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed an attack on an American aircraft carrier on Sunday and warned of “consequences” for any retaliation during the coming Gaza ceasefire.
“The Yemeni Armed Forces warn the enemy forces in the Red Sea of the consequences of any aggression against our country during the ceasefire period in Gaza,” the rebels said in a statement.
“They will confront any aggression with specific military operations against those forces without a ceiling or red lines.”
An initial 42-day truce in the Israel-Hamas war is scheduled to begin at 0630 GMT Sunday.
The Houthis, who have attacked shipping in the Red Sea throughout the war in Gaza, said they targeted the USS Harry S. Truman and other “warships” with drones and cruise missiles.
“The American aircraft carrier was forced to leave the theater of operations,” the rebels’ statement said.
Part of Iran’s “axis of resistance,” the Houthis have repeatedly launched missile and drone attacks on Israel since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians.
They have also waged a harassment campaign against shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, severely disrupting trade routes.
On Friday, the Yemeni rebels warned they would keep up their attacks if Israel did not respect the terms of the ceasefire with Hamas.
 

 


Hope and tears as youngest Israeli hostage turns two

Hope and tears as youngest Israeli hostage turns two
Updated 19 January 2025
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Hope and tears as youngest Israeli hostage turns two

Hope and tears as youngest Israeli hostage turns two
  • “Today, I tried to write a birthday message for Kfir for the second time,” his aunt Ofri Bibas Levy said
  • Hamas said in November 2023 that the two boys and their mother were killed in an Israeli air strike, but the Israeli military has not confirmed their deaths

TEL AVIV: Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv to demand freedom for hostages held in Gaza, anxious the ceasefire deal would collapse, with many dwelling on the fate of Kfir Bibas, the youngest captive whose second birthday fell on Saturday.
“Today, I tried to write a birthday message for Kfir for the second time,” his aunt Ofri Bibas Levy said. “A message for a child who cannot celebrate... A child trapped in hell. A child who might not even be alive. But no words come out, only tears.”
Taken alongside his now four-year-old brother Ariel and his mother and father, Shiri and Yarden, he has become a symbol of the suffering of the hostages.
“I have two orange ballons on my car,” said Sigal Kirsch in Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square.” The color has become symbolic of the Bibas boys, both of whom are red-heads.
“I don’t have the words,” she said, visibly overcome with emotion.
Hamas said in November 2023 that the two boys and their mother were killed in an Israeli air strike, but the Israeli military has not confirmed their deaths.
Coming together to protest barely 12 hours before the first three hostages are due to be released, many couldn’t bring themselves to believe after so much false hope that the ordeal of the hostages might finally be over.
“Once they cross the (Gaza) border and they will be rejoined with their families then maybe we can breathe again,” said Shahar Mor Zahiro, the nephew of slain hostage Avraham Munder.
Anxiety was the overwhelming mood.
“This past week was hell,” said Kirsch, who had been every week to the gatherings at Hostage Square, across the road from Israeli military headquarters.
“On Tuesday we were sure that the deal would be signed... and it took until last night. So we’re very, very anxious,” she said.
The deal agreed between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, via mediators, is broken into three phases.
But, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under pressure from far-right elements of his government opposed to a ceasefire, protesters and families of the hostages expressed fears that the deal would collapse.
“In one sense (the mood) is a little more hopeful, and in another sense, it’s very sad. Because for the people who aren’t in the first phase, I can’t imagine how their hearts bleed at this point,” said Neil Trubowiz, 75, from Tel Aviv, in Hostage Square.
Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who opposed the deal, said he would remain in the government but that the prime minister had promised him the war would continue.
Mor Zahiro demanded that what he called “extremist elements” in the cabinet be prevented from collapsing the deal.
“Tell them to shut up!” he said. “Let the people come back to their loved ones.”
He denounced the idea that the war could start again. “Stop the fighting. Stop the war. Stop everything. Don’t shoot another bullet, let us heal. This is really crucial, otherwise there will be hell here for the next 50 years.”
On Saturday night, Netanyahu gave protesters and hostage families further cause for anxiety, saying the ceasefire deal could not go ahead until Hamas handed over a list of hostages to be released.
He also said in a televised address that Israel “reserved the right to return to war.”
Palestinian militants took 251 people hostage during Hamas’s surprise October 7 attack, 94 of whom remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.
The lengthy ceasefire process, with the first 33 hostages released in small groups over 42 days, followed by a second and third phase that are still to be negotiated, leaves multiple opportunities for the process to collapse.
“We’re anticipating some good news tomorrow, but on the other hand, we’re very wary of what could happen in the meantime,” said Guy Perry, 58, also from Tel Aviv.
He described the possibility of a final end to the war and the return of all hostages as a “very, very dim light” at the end of the tunnel.
Despite their fears the deal could collapse at any moment, many couldn’t help but hope.
“I cannot wait to see my uncle, I really hope he managed to survive,” said Efrat Machikawa, whose uncle Gadi Moses turned 80 while held hostage in Gaza.
“I have to trust my hope. This has to happen, they have to come back.”


What we know about the Gaza hostage and prisoner exchange

What we know about the Gaza hostage and prisoner exchange
Updated 19 January 2025
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What we know about the Gaza hostage and prisoner exchange

What we know about the Gaza hostage and prisoner exchange
  • Israel’s Justice Ministry published their details early on Saturday, along with the ceasefire agreement, which said 30 Palestinian prisoners would be released for each female hostage on Sunday

JERUSALEM: The ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas is due to take effect from 8.30 a.m. (0630 GMT) on Sunday, following final approval of the deal by the Israeli government.
Thirty-three of the 98 remaining Israeli hostages, including women, children, men over 50 and ill and wounded captives, are to be freed over the course of the first phase of the ceasefire, due to last six weeks. Israel believes most are still alive but has received no confirmation from Hamas.
In return, Israel will release almost 2,000 Palestinians from its jails.
They include 737 male, female and teen-aged prisoners, some of whom are members of militant groups convicted of attacks that killed dozens of Israelis, as well as of 1,167 Palestinians detained in Gaza since the start of the war and held in Israel.
Israel’s Justice Ministry published their details early on Saturday, along with the ceasefire agreement, which said 30 Palestinian prisoners would be released for each female hostage on Sunday.
During the first phase of the ceasefire, the Israeli army will pull back from some of its positions in Gaza and Palestinians displaced from areas in northern Gaza will be allowed to return.
A second phase, exchanging the remaining hostages and completing the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza is expected to follow, depending on the results of negotiations, which will begin 16 days from the start of the ceasefire.

HOSTAGE AND PRISONER HANDOVER
On Sunday after 4 p.m. (1400 GMT), Israel will hand over 95 Palestinian prisoners and will receive three hostages in exchange. The prisoners to be released on the first day of the ceasefire do not include any prominent detainees, and many were recently detained and not tried or convicted.
The identity of the three hostages to be handed over is not yet known. The military says it will publish the names once they have received the hostages.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THEY ARE HANDED OVER?
The hostages will be handed by Hamas to Red Cross officials who will take them to the Israeli military in Gaza. The military has set up three locations near the northern, central and southern edges of Gaza in Erez, Re’im and Kerem Shalom to take charge of the hostages, according to the route they take out.
The hostages will be met there by medical staff, welfare specialists and psychologists to help with the initial transition before they are reunited with their families.
They will be taken by vehicle or helicopter to specialized facilities set up to receive them and help them adjust to returning from the trauma of 15 months in captivity. They will be kept away from the press and will receive medical and psychological support.

 

 


Hundreds rally in Tunisia to demand release of Saied critic

Hundreds rally in Tunisia to demand release of Saied critic
Updated 19 January 2025
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Hundreds rally in Tunisia to demand release of Saied critic

Hundreds rally in Tunisia to demand release of Saied critic
  • Moussi, who had hoped to run in last year’s presidential election, stands accused of charges including “seeking to change the form of the state”

TUNIS: Hundreds demonstrated in the Tunisian capital on Saturday calling for the release of Abir Moussi, a critic of President Kais Saied jailed for more than a year.
The demonstrators shouted “freedom for Abir” and “we are opponents, not traitors” at the gathering in central Tunis, AFP journalists reported.
Moussi, 49, heads the Free Destourian Party, which critics accuse of seeking to restore the iron-fisted rule that Tunisians overthrew in the Arab Spring protests of 2011.
She has been in custody since her arrest in October 2023 outside the presidential palace where her party says she was seeking to lodge appeals against Saied’s decrees.
Moussi, who had hoped to run in last year’s presidential election, stands accused of charges including “seeking to change the form of the state.”
Saied was elected in 2019 but launched a sweeping power grab in 2021 and has since effectively ruled by decree.
In October, he was re-elected in a landslide after his main opponents were jailed.
Moussi was sentenced to 16 months in prison in November on charges of spreading “false news” after she criticized the electoral authority.
A leading figure in her party, Thameur Saad, said on Saturday that her conviction “is not worthy of a country that calls itself democratic.”