Syria - سوريا

Crossposted from https://kbin.earth/m/world@quokk.au/t/2386899

DAMASCUS, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Syria said on Sunday it had detained a group behind recent rocket attacks on the Mezzeh military airport in Damascus, with investigators tracing the weapons to Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The interior ministry said security units arrested all members of the group, which it said had carried out several strikes on the airport in recent months, after surveillance of suspected launch sites in several areas of the capital.

The weapons used in the attacks originated from Lebanon’s Hezbollah, an ally of former President Bashar al-Assad that once had a large military presence across Syria supporting Assad’s army, the ministry said.

Hezbollah denied the allegations and said it had no activity or ties with any group inside Syria.

Authorities said they also seized a number of drones the group was preparing to use in further operations.

شهد عدد من المحافظات السورية خلال الساعات الأربع والعشرين الماضية، هطولات مطرية متفاوتة الغزارة كان أعلاها 33 مم في منطقة صلنفة بمحافظة اللاذقية.

وحسب النشرة الصادرة عن وزارة الزراعة، بلغت كميات الأمطار الهاطلة المستويات التالية:

حمص:
الناصرة 2 مم، مرمريتا 3 مم، شين 2 مم، قلعة الحصن 3 مم، العريضة 2.5 مم، تلكلخ 21 مم، حمص المدينة 1مم.

حماة:
الرصافة 18مم، وادي العيون 17.5مم، مصياف 21 مم، عين حلاقيم 16مم، ربعو 13 مم، الحميرة 4.5 مم، محردة 6.8 مم، كفر زيتا 4 مم، حماة 0.6 مم، صوران 3 مم.

[...]

اللاذقية:
صلنفة 33 مم، المزيرعة 21 مم، القرداحة 20 مم، الحفة 23 مم، القطيلبية 28 مم، جبلة /حميميم 17 مم، بوقا 32 مم، البهلولية 24 مم، مدينة اللاذقية 10مم، كسب 17مم، قسطل معاف 14مم، ربيعة 21 مم، وادي قنديل 28 مم.

دمشق-سانا

بحث وزيرا الداخلية أنس خطاب، ووزير التعليم العالي السوري مروان الحلبي، آفاق التعاون والتنسيق المؤسسي بين الوزارتين، بما يسهم في تبادل الخبرات والمعرفة، وتطوير البرامج الأكاديمية والتدريبية المشتركة، ومواءمتها مع متطلبات العمل الإداري والأمني الحديث.

وذكرت وزارة الداخلية على قناتها على التلغرام اليوم الأربعاء أن الوزيرين ناقشا خلال اللقاء الذي جرى في مبنى وزارة الداخلية بدمشق، إمكانية استحداث جامعة متخصصة بالعلوم الأمنية، تُعنى بإعداد الكوادر العلمية والمهنية، وفق أحدث المعايير، وتواكب التطورات المتسارعة في مجالات الأمن، والبحث العلمي، وبناء القدرات المؤسسية.

كما بحث الوزيران سبل تعزيز الابتكار في المجالات الأمنية، من خلال دعم البحث العلمي، وتطوير المناهج التخصصية، وتوظيف التقنيات الحديثة بما ينعكس إيجاباً على جودة الأداء المؤسسي، والخدمات المقدمة للمواطنين.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/42204864

Ali Bakir
24 January 2026 12:00 GMT

But the YPG’s inevitable clash with the state came this month, as the Syrian army, supported by allied Arab tribes, advanced quickly. The YPG’s rapid collapse was expected by those familiar with its history: the group, operating under a Kurdish banner, was never a genuine grassroots force. It lacked popular support even among most Kurds and was completely dependent on foreign political and military backing.

Throughout the Syrian conflict, the group shifted its loyalty from the Assad regime to Iran, then Russia, then the United States and the European Union, and finally Israel. At no point since 2011 could it have held its ground against its opponents without massive funding, weapons and air support from the US and others.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/42195551

C.P. Ward
Jan 22, 2026

The months-long standoff between the SDF and the Damascus government turned in the government’s favor on Sunday when Arab tribes in the provinces of Raqqa and Deir Ez-Zour—who had for years been close allies of the SDF in its fight against ISIS—defected to the government and turned their guns on their former comrades. In response, the SDF rapidly withdrew from these largely Arab provinces and established their line of defense further north in the Kurdish heartlands of Qamishli, Kobani, and Hasake.

By Monday, it appeared that a deal had been reached between the two sides to end the killing and integrate the SDF fighters into the military on an “individual” basis. If put into effect, that deal would be a capitulation for the SDF, which had long demanded that its fighters integrate under the new Syrian Ministry of Defense as whole divisions, which would allow them some degree of autonomy from the government. In a stunning coup, Syria’s president, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, seemingly managed to unify Syria with a relatively small price in blood, and on his own terms.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/42125506

Attacks on Gaza continue, killing five Palestinians. U.S. sanctions Gaza-based medical groups. U.S. boosts Israel aid in 2026. General strike protests crime in Palestinian towns inside Israel. Gaza’s technocratic committee awaits guarantees. House passes a spending package that funds DHS. Minnesota resident says she was illegally detained and abused by ICE. The U.S. names Laura Dogu top envoy for Venezuela. U.S. maintains control over Venezuela oil sales. Mahmoud Khalil challenges DHS deportation threat. Supreme Court cases advance corporate claims tied to Cuba regime change. Trump’s war on childcare. U.S. urges ceasefire compliance in northern Syria. U.S. weighs full troop withdrawal from Syria. Iraq accepts transfer of ISIS detainees from Syria. Drone strikes intensify around El Obeid, killing civilians. Sudan weighs new U.S.–Saudi ceasefire proposal. Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo worsens a humanitarian crisis. UN warns Nigeria food aid at risk amid funding shortfall. Venezuelan officials privately pledged cooperation with the U.S. post-Maduro. Ecuador–Colombia trade and power dispute escalates. U.S. signals outreach to Islamist party ahead of Bangladesh vote. Ukrainian partisans disrupt Russian supply lines. U.S. envoys hold Kremlin talks ahead of Ukraine mediation. U.S. warns Haiti council over move to oust prime minister. Peru president rejects calls for removal over undisclosed meetings.

Drop Site covers the latest in Syria.

Afrin area, Aleppo, Syria

Damascus, Jan. 22 (SANA) The Command of Security and Military Police at the Defense Ministry said Thursday that it has begun taking legal action against military personnel who violated conduct regulations during operations in northeastern Syria. It emphasized that breaches affecting military discipline or public order would not be tolerated.

Damascus, Jan. 21 (SANA) Syria is set to welcome the first post-liberation edition of the Damascus International Book Fair, scheduled to open on February 5 at Damascus Exhibition City. The fair, under the patronage of President Ahmad al-Sharaa, marks a major step in restoring the country’s cultural presence on both the national and international stage.

The Ministry of Culture announced that the event will feature more than 500 publishing houses from 35 countries, showcasing over 100,000 titles spanning literature, history, and intellectual works. A program of more than 650 events will accompany the fair, including activities for children and youth, seminars, public forums, and sessions with over 500 writers, thinkers, and researchers.

The fair will also launch more than seven cultural awards, including prizes for the best Syrian, Arab, and international publishers, the best young publisher, children’s book publishers, and the “Personality of the Fair” award. Additional highlights include pavilions for Arabic calligraphy and the arts, a market for booksellers, a cultural salon featuring leading intellectual figures, and interactive technology and AI exhibits.

Damascus, Jan. 21 (SANA) Syria’s Minister of Defense, Major General Murhaf Abu Qasra, urged the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to stop arbitrary arrests of civilians in Hasakah Province, warning that these actions threaten the ceasefire agreement.

The Minister told SANA, “Less than a day after the ceasefire came into force, the SDF began carrying out arbitrary arrests in Hasakah Province,” adding that these detentions of dozens of local residents “pose a serious threat to the ceasefire as a whole.” He called on the SDF to “immediately cease these arbitrary arrests and release all detainees without delay.”

The Syrian Presidency announced Tuesday that a joint understanding had been reached between the Syrian government and the SDF on several issues related to the future of Hasakah Province. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense declared a ceasefire across all operational sectors of the Syrian Arab Army for four days in compliance with the understanding.

Damascus, Jan. 21 (SANA) The Syrian Arab Army’s Operations Command on Wednesday warned civilians in Raqqa, Deir Ezzor, and eastern Aleppo to stay away from former SDF positions and tunnels, citing the presence of booby traps and explosives left behind by the group and PKK terrorists.

The Command told SANA that PKK terrorists and SDF elements had rigged doors, corridors, tunnels, household furniture, vehicles, and even homes near public roads. Explosives were also hidden in rocks, bricks, and other everyday objects, creating a significant hazard for anyone entering these areas.

[...]

The Command urged residents to report any suspicious objects immediately and to coordinate with nearby military and security units.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/41983123

Drop Site News
Jan 20, 2026

On Sunday, January 18, the text of a reported agreement between the Syrian central government based in Damascus, and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) began circulating on social media and local news channels.

The agreement was intended to be signed after a meeting between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF Commander-in-Chief Mazloum Abdi in Damascus that would avert a long-feared, all-out war between the two sides.

It was wishful thinking. The meeting, and along with it the tenuous ceasefire, collapsed. The government had demanded full and immediate handover of SDF-held territory to its control, the disbandment of the SDF as an armed force, and liquidation of independent civil institutions—steps the SDF was unwilling to take. Instead, local Arab tribes formerly allied to the group, which had recently switched allegiances and joined the government, pressed forward with attacks on SDF positions. SDF officials accused Syrian government aligned forces of executing captives and vowed to resist the onslaught, with officials sharing a video that they said depicted the partial beheading of SDF fighters.

Hasakah, Jan. 19 (SANA) Syrian Arab Army units began entering al-Shaddadi town, south of Hasakah in northeast Syria, on Monday after the SDF released members of the ISIS terrorist organization from al-Shaddadi prison.

In a statement to SANA on Monday, the army’s Operations Command said army units will secure al-Shaddadi prison and its surroundings and conduct sweeping operations in the town and nearby areas to apprehend ISIS detainees who were released.

The Operations Command said al-Shaddadi prison and the city’s security facilities will be handed over immediately to the Ministry of Interior after security and sweep operations are completed.

It added that the army leadership had contacted mediators and SDF leaders with the aim of handing the prison over to internal security forces to secure it and its perimeter, but that the SDF leadership refused.

Damascus, Jan. 19 (SANA) The Syrian government said on Monday that it has followed a statement issued by the so-called “autonomous administration” on Jan. 17

In a statement released today, the government said it “categorically rejects any attempt to use the terrorism file as political or security blackmail,” adding that warnings cited in the statement regarding prisons holding ISIS detainees amount to a political exploitation of terrorism and a form of pressure.

[...]

The government said its military and security institutions are fully prepared to carry out their duties in combating terrorism within international efforts to eradicate ISIS and other terrorist organizations. It pledged to secure all detention facilities in line with internationally recognized standards and to prevent the escape of ISIS detainees, citing responsibilities toward Syria’s national security, regional security and international peace and security.

Damascus, Jan. 18 (SANA) The Syrian Arab Army regained full control of the Euphrates Dam on Sunday, returning management of its water and hydroelectric facilities to specialized governmental staff and technicians after years of SDF organization control.

The Euphrates Dam is a critical infrastructure for Syria’s water and energy supply. Its hydroelectric station, located on the dam’s right bank, houses eight generating units, each capable of producing 110 megawatts, providing electricity to large parts of the region.

The dam also contains the Euphrates Lake, or Lake of al-Tabqa, which stretches roughly 80 kilometers long and up to 8 kilometers wide, covering an area of approximately 640 km². It has a maximum storage capacity of 14.1 billion cubic meters of water at a level of 304 meters above sea level, making it a vital source of drinking water, irrigation, and electricity generation.

Raqqa, Jan.18 (SANA) Residents of Raqqa held celebrations following the signing of a ceasefire agreement that provides for the full administrative and military handover of the city to the Syrian government, viewing it as a significant step toward reestablishing state authority and reinforcing national unity.

Local sources said the agreement aims to restore stability and security in Raqqa, paving the way for the return of state institutions and the resumption of public services after a prolonged period of instability.

The agreement, which came after intensive contacts and efforts, is expected to facilitate the normalization of daily life, enhance civilian protection, and create conditions conducive to reconstruction and economic recovery in the city.

Damascus, Jan. 18 (SANA) In a disturbing escalation of violence in northern Syria, the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the SDF organization have executed prisoners in the city of al-Tabqa, in Raqqa province, just before withdrawing from the area. The killings add to a long record of abuses against civilians in regions under their control.

This bloody escalation is part of a broader pattern of documented brutality by these groups, which spans neighborhoods in Aleppo, including Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh, as well as eastern towns like Deir Hafer. These actions underscore the groups’ reliance on systematic violence as a tool for control and intimidation.

The Syrian army’s Operations Command announced new field developments in eastern Aleppo countryside on Saturday, Jan. 17, saying its forces secured 14 villages and towns east of Deir Hafir, as advance units reached Maskanah in eastern Aleppo.

In a statement carried by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the Operations Command said more than 200 members of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were allowed to leave the areas entered by the army while keeping their weapons, while hundreds of other SDF members surrendered to Syrian army forces.

For its part, the SDF said government forces entered Deir Hafir and Maskanah before its fighters had fully withdrawn, describing this as a violation of the internationally sponsored agreement.

Northeastern Syria has witnessed heightened security and military escalation over the past hours, marked by a series of attacks targeting military positions of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), alongside intensive troop movements and reinforcements along contact lines.

Enab Baladi’s correspondent in Deir Ezzor reported today, Tuesday 13 January, that several SDF positions were attacked in the eastern countryside. In the town of Abu Hamam (eastern Deir Ezzor countryside, along the Euphrates River), unidentified gunmen attacked a military point using RPG rounds and automatic weapons.

At the same time, another SDF position near the Euphrates Riverbank in the town of al-Shaafah (eastern Deir Ezzor countryside) was targeted with automatic weapons. No information has been reported on casualties, and the SDF had not announced any losses among its forces at the time of writing.

On 11 January, Arab tribal fighters had carried out coordinated attacks on SDF positions along the eastern bank of the Euphrates River in the eastern Deir Ezzor countryside. The attacks targeted military points and strategic checkpoints.