Debra Tice had managed to gather her family in one place in early December – no easy feat given they were spread across the US and Australia. When they planned their reunion months before, the Tice family had no idea they would be together to watch the Assad regime fall after a lightning 11-day rebel offensive toppled the 53-year rule.
“It was amazing for us to be together like that – it doesn’t happen often – to watch that together,” Debra said from a hotel room in Damascus. Only one member of her family was missing from the reunion, her son Austin Tice, a journalist who was kidnapped at the age of 31 in a suburb outside Damascus in 2012, while reporting on the Syrian civil war.
On Saturday, Debra returned to Damascus after nearly 10 years. Though initially cooperative, the Assad regime stopped issuing her visas in 2015 as she searched for her son, who was believed to have been held by the government itself. Austin would now be 43 years old, after 12 years of captivity.
The last footage of Tice was posted in 2012, showing the reporter blindfolded, led by men who forced him to recite Islamic prayer before he said, in apparent distress, “Oh Jesus, oh Jesus. God.”
There are doubts about whether the video was staged to make it look as if Tice was kidnapped by Islamist rebels, rather than the government. Experts said the men in the video were wearing clothes native to Afghanistan, rather than Syria.
Reporter Austin Tice in Cairo in March 2012. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images
With the Assad regime gone, the search for Tice can resume. Nizar Zakka, the head of Hostage Aid Worldwide (HAW) and a former hostage in Iran, entered Syria a few days after the fall of the regime and began to search for the journalist.
“You should see the way we enter these security branches, we invade them,” Zakka said. He brought with him a team of 12 cargo pants clad staff members, whom he directs with military-like orders.
Together, they have spent the last six weeks combing through former branches of state security, military intelligence and even the home of the former head of the Syrian air force intelligence unit, Jamil Hassan. Wherever they think a VIP hostage like Tice might have been held, they are looking for documents, hard drives, anything with his name on it.
The T-shirt and pins worn by Debra Tice during the unveiling of a #BringAustinHome banner hanging in Washington DC. Photograph: Shawn Thew/EPA
“As a former hostage myself, I know where to look, where people might write information on the prison walls, where they keep the high-value hostages,” Zakka said.
So far, the team has not found any documents that pertain to Austin Tice. Their running theory is that the reporter is being held in a Syrian safe house by a high-level regime figure who wants to use Tice as a bargaining chip for their own safe passage outside Syria. Zakka said they had a few leads on where these safe houses may be, but have “nothing concrete”.
For months, the HAW had run ads on TV and radio inside Syria, urging people to contact them if they had any information on Tice’s whereabouts. Since his detention, no party has produced a proof of life.
With new leadership in Washington and Damascus, the Tice family believe that there is renewed hope to find their son.
“Today is going to be a new day for us, things are going to change … it’s like starting over again, it’s a new beginning after 8 December,” Debra Tice said at a press conference on Monday in Damascus.
Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, right, meeting Debra Tice in Damascus. Photograph: Sana/AFP/Getty Images
She added that Trump administration officials had already contacted her regarding Austin, and she had met the de facto leader of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to discuss his case the day before.
The Tice family is facing the same challenges that Syrian families of the more than 100,000 forcibly disappeared who did not emerge from Assad’s detention centres have encountered since the fall of the regime.
Prison facilities which hold crucial documentation are not being safeguarded. Looting, busted water pipes and neglect have led to thousands of missing documents.
The Assad regime’s security apparatuses took meticulous notes and its various branches are stuffed with documents. Human rights organisations fear that if not safeguarded, key information that could help people find their loved ones could be lost.
“The priority right now is to close all the security centres and not allow anyone in. We need everyone who took documents to return them,” said Bayan Rehan, a member of the Families for Freedom association whose brother was arrested by the Assad regime.
Sharaa has yet to meet with a representative from Syrian associations like Families for Freedom and they do not have the same resources that the Tice family has been able to mobilise.
The UN created an Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic in the summer of 2023, but the commission has yet to deploy a team on the ground due to lack of funds.
“We’re used to the UN not helping us,” Rehan said with a shrug.
Debra Tice left Damascus on Tuesday, but work to find her son, and other people forcibly disappeared by the Assad regime, continues.
“Austin, if you can somehow hear this, I love you. I know you’re not giving up and neither am I,” she said.
It has been nearly a decade since American journalist Austin Tice was kidnapped in Syria while reporting on the conflict in 2012. Despite the passage of time, his mother Debra is not giving up hope.
In a recent interview, Debra Tice expressed her determination to continue the search for her son, who was just 31 years old when he disappeared. She remains steadfast in her belief that Austin is still alive and is being held captive somewhere in Syria.
Debra has tirelessly advocated for her son’s release, working with the US government, media outlets, and international organizations to keep Austin’s case in the public eye. She refuses to let her son become another forgotten victim of the Syrian conflict.
As she continues to fight for Austin’s freedom, Debra Tice is urging anyone who may have information about her son’s whereabouts to come forward. She remains hopeful that one day, she will be reunited with her beloved son.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead, Debra’s unwavering determination serves as a reminder that the search for Austin Tice is far from over. She is not giving up, and neither should we. Let us stand with her in solidarity as she continues to seek justice for her son. #FreeAustinTice #Syria #Journalism #Hope
Mike Waltz, President-elect Trump’s pick for National Security Adviser, emphasized the Trump administration’s commitment to implementing all stages of the hostage deal and Gaza ceasefire in a meeting with families of American and Israeli hostages in Washington DC on Saturday, according to three sources present at the meeting.
The meeting was organized by Nizar Zakka, president of Hostage Aid, an organization that supports the families of hostages and maintains close ties with senior Trump administration officials.
Also present were Adam Boehler, President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy for hostages affairs, and Eric Trager, who is expected to head the Middle East division at the National Security Council.
As we reach Day 471 of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, tensions continue to escalate in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon. In Gaza, the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been broken, leading to renewed violence and airstrikes. The death toll continues to rise as civilians bear the brunt of the fighting.
In Syria, the civil war rages on with no end in sight. The humanitarian crisis worsens as millions of people are displaced and in need of aid. The recent chemical attacks in Eastern Ghouta have drawn international condemnation, but the violence shows no signs of abating.
In Lebanon, political instability and economic hardship plague the country. The resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri has left a power vacuum, further exacerbating the already dire situation. The ongoing tensions between Hezbollah and Israel only add to the precariousness of the region.
As the situation in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon continues to deteriorate, it is crucial for the international community to come together to find a peaceful resolution to the conflicts. The people of these war-torn countries deserve to live in peace and security, and it is up to world leaders to work towards a sustainable solution. Stay tuned for more updates on the unfolding crisis in the Middle East.
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Gaza updates, Syria news, Lebanon latest, Israel updates, Middle East news, Gaza conflict, Syria crisis, Lebanon updates, Israel news, current events in Gaza, Syria updates, Lebanon conflict, Israel-Palestine conflict, political news in Middle East.
Another anniversary of Tunisia’s revolution has arrived, and it is marked by a bitter sense of loss and foreboding.
Under the post-coup dictatorship led by President Kais Saeid, the 2011 fall of the Ben Ali regime after weeks of popular protests is no longer commemorated with joyous gatherings, but rather with demonstrations that are often banned and repressed.
Saied, once the “candidate of the revolution”, has erased the special status of 14 January; rather than celebrating the historic moment that shook Tunisia and the entire region, it is now just an ordinary working day.
But this year, the bittersweet anniversary carries a different flavour. The triumph of another revolution, part of the series of uprisings inspired by Tunisia’s example, and the fleeing of another dictator, brings with it a revival of hope and strengthening of resolve.
After 14 long years of struggle and sacrifice, the Syrian people have achieved what many once thought was impossible: the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime.
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This victory represents the culmination of more than a decade of resistance and resilience; the triumph of the desire for freedom and dignity, despite overwhelming odds; and a revival of the hopes of millions of people across the region and their dreams for justice, long crushed by counter-revolutions and coups.
Syria’s suffering, and the heavy price paid for its liberation from authoritarianism – once used by tyrants as a warning against any calls for reform – now stand as a source of inspiration and hope, and a lesson that the people’s desire for dignity and freedom cannot be crushed by brutal force, barrel bombs, foreign support or demonisation.
Revolutions cannot be defeated
Change may be delayed and its costs made heavier, but it cannot be avoided forever. In the words of Tunisia’s “poet of love and revolution”, Aboul-Qacem Echebbi: “If the people one day desire life, fate must surely answer their call.”
Tunisians, like other peoples of the region, celebrated alongside Syrians as the incredible news of the ousting of Assad spread. Just as 14 years ago, Tunisia’s groundbreaking revolution ignited hope and inspiration around the region, Syria’s victory today breathes new life into a battered and repressed Arab Spring.
To establish a new, stable political system can take many decades. This is the lesson from all revolutions throughout history
The resilience of the Syrian people in overthrowing Assad sends a powerful message: revolutions might stumble or be derailed, they might take years or decades, and they might come at an enormous cost – but they can never be defeated.
The Arab Spring is far from over, and the lessons learned from both its setbacks and Syria’s victory will resonate across the Arab world for years to come.
As Syria now deals with the enormous task of rebuilding the country and establishing an inclusive, stable system, Tunisia struggles under authoritarianism and incompetence.
Undeniable achievements were made after the revolution, particularly in terms of building an inclusive, pluralistic political system. But political gridlock, unfulfilled economic expectations, counter-revolutionary plots and the rise of populism have seen the unravelling of the democratic transition.
Cyclical pattern
Discussing the evolution of Tunisia’s revolution, with all its ups and downs, would take many more pages – but suffice it to say that just as Syria’s revolution witnessed both gains and immense losses, its latest victory, unexpected to many, should be a warning to those who wish to write off the Tunisian revolution and the Arab Spring.
Revolutions do not achieve their aims overnight. A revolution is not a linear process, but a dialectical one between the continuity and discontinuity of history.
How Kais Saied’s tyranny went from tragedy to farce
Transitions do not progress in a linear way, but in a cyclical pattern. Revolutions are followed by counter-revolutions, as forces of change struggle against forces pulling backwards. To establish a new, stable political system can take many decades. This is the lesson from all revolutions throughout history.
As Tunisians prepare to take to the streets on the 14th anniversary of their revolution, hundreds of leaders of the political opposition, including my father Rached Ghannouchi, along with activists, journalists, judges, lawyers and other critics of the regime, continue to be arbitrarily detained or prosecuted by a subjugated judiciary, for refusing to accept the will to return Tunisia to the days of pre-revolution dictatorship.
Their determination demonstrates the enduring spirit of the Arab Spring, and that the pursuit of freedom, justice and democracy is a long and difficult path.
To them, Syria brings renewed hope that the struggle of those who sacrificed their freedom and their lives for the dream of societal justice will not be in vain – and that like the joyful scenes of liberation from Syria’s prisons, we will one day, sooner or later, witness similar scenes in Tunisia and across the region.
The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
As Tunisia marks the anniversary of its revolution that sparked the Arab Spring in 2011, we are reminded of the struggle for freedom and democracy that continues to this day. While progress has been made in Tunisia, there are still challenges to overcome and much work to be done.
But amidst the uncertainty and hardship, there is hope. The recent events unfolding in Syria serve as a powerful reminder that change is possible, even in the face of brutal repression and adversity. The courage and resilience of the Syrian people in their fight for freedom and dignity is an inspiration to us all.
As we reflect on the journey of Tunisia and the sacrifices made by its people, let us also look to Syria as a beacon of hope. Despite the darkness and despair, there is a glimmer of light that shines through, reminding us that one day, we will truly be free.
Let us honor the memory of those who have fought and died for freedom, and continue to strive towards a better future for all. Together, we can overcome the challenges and obstacles in our path, and build a more just and inclusive society for generations to come.
Happy anniversary, Tunisia. May your revolution continue to inspire us and may we always have the courage to fight for our freedom.
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Tunisia revolution, Syria hope, freedom anniversary, Arab Spring, democracy, political change, human rights, Middle East, revolution anniversary, Tunisia uprising
French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Tuesday that the military had carried out targeted strikes against positions of the Islamic State terrorist organization in Syria. These strikes, carried out on Sunday, are part of France’s ongoing commitment to the fight against terrorism in the Levant.
In a message posted on X, Lecornu stressed that the French forces remain fully mobilized as part of the international coalition Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), an operation launched in 2014 in Iraq and extended to Syria in 2015. “Our armies continue their commitment against Daesh,” the minister wrote on the social network, referring to the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
Although further details of Sunday’s operation have not been specified, the minister confirmed the use of French aerial means to strike strategic sites linked to ISIS on Syrian soil. France, through its Operation Chammal, actively supports Iraqi forces in their fight against the terrorist group. Chammal mobilizes about 600 French soldiers, including 10 Rafale jets, one frigate, one AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft, as well as refueling and patrol planes.
Lecornu, currently on an official visit to Lebanon with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, met on Monday with Lebanese General Joseph Aoun, commander in chief of the Lebanese army, to discuss the security situation in Lebanon and the region.
The French Military Launches Offensive Against ISIS in Syria
In a strategic move to combat the threat of ISIS in Syria, the French military has launched a series of targeted attacks on ISIS positions. With a focus on disrupting the terrorist organization’s ability to operate and carry out attacks, French forces have been conducting precision strikes on key ISIS strongholds.
The decision to ramp up military action against ISIS comes in response to the continued threat posed by the terrorist group in the region. By taking proactive measures to degrade ISIS’s capabilities, France aims to protect civilians and restore stability to the war-torn country.
The French military’s offensive against ISIS in Syria represents a significant step towards eradicating the terrorist group from the region. With a commitment to working alongside coalition partners to defeat ISIS, France is demonstrating its unwavering dedication to combating terrorism and promoting peace and security in the region.
As the situation in Syria continues to evolve, the French military remains vigilant in its efforts to neutralize the threat of ISIS and safeguard the safety and well-being of the Syrian people. Stay tuned for updates on the progress of the French military’s campaign against ISIS in Syria. #FrenchMilitary #ISIS #Syria #Counterterrorism #PeaceandSecurity.
French aircraft have bombed Islamic State positions in Syria, the country’s defence minister Sebastien Lecornu has announced.
The strikes are the first on Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
“Our armed forces remain engaged in battling terrorism in the Levant,” Lecornu posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, while on a New Year visit to French UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
“On Sunday, French air assets carried out targeted strikes against Daesh on Syrian soil,” he added, using the Arabic name for IS.
The defence ministry told AFP that France’s Rafale fighter jets and US-made Reaper drones “dropped a total of seven bombs on two military targets belonging to Daesh in central Syria”.
France has belonged to the Inherent Resolve international coalition against IS since 2014 for Iraq and 2015 for Syria.
French troops involved in the operations are based in the region, including in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
As Assad’s fall to a shock offensive by Syrian rebels led by a radical Sunni group rapidly reshapes the country, observers fear space could be left for IS to regather its strength.
The group has survived in both Iraq and Syria despite the destruction of its so-called caliphate that lasted from 2014-19.
Washington said in mid-December that it had doubled American troop numbers fighting jihadists in Syria, to about 2,000.
Its Central Command – responsible for the Middle East – said it wanted to ensure that IS “does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria”.
Key events
Summary
As the time approaches 3pm in Tel Aviv, Israel, here’s a roundup of today’s news in the Middle East.
A UN report has said Israel’s attacks on hospitals in and around Gaza have led the area’s healthcare system to the brink of “total collapse”. The UN Human Rights Office says its report raises concerns about how much Israel is complying with international law.
Meanwhile The head of Unrwa – the UN agency for aid in Gaza – Philippe Lazzarini says “horrors continue unabated” 15 months since the war broke out between Israel and Gaza, triggered by the Hamas terror attack.
More than 250 members of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (Unrwa) had been killed since the start of the conflict, and more than two-thirds of Unrwa buildings have been damaged or destroyed, he said.
The president of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Ola Awad, said the Gaza Strip’s economy crumbled this year during the continued Israeli operations in the territory.
Palestinian news agency Wafa reported: “By the end of 2024, estimates indicate that the unprecedented sharp contraction in the GDP in the Gaza Strip will continue by more than 82%, accompanied by an increase in the unemployment rate to 80%.”
The Palestinian Civil Defence agency said it has received hundreds of distress calls from displaced people whose tents and shelters have been flooded by rainwater after heavy rain.
Palestinian health authorities say 45 people have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip for general hospital treatment in the United Arab Emirates. They include a 10-year-old boy suffering from kidney failure.
French aircraft have bombed Islamic State positions in Syria, the country’s defence minister Sebastien Lecornu has announced. The strikes are the first on Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Syria’s new rulers have confirmed the appointment of Murhaf Abu Qasra as defence minister in the new interim government, according to a statement released on Tuesday.
The new Syrian government has reportedly appointed former foreign fighters to its armed forces, Reuters has reported.
The new figures include Uyghurs, a Jordanian and a Turk as Damascus tries to shape a patchwork of rebel groups into a professional military, two Syrian sources told the news agency.
Israel has warned Yemen’sHouthi rebels that they face the same “miserable fate” as Hamas and Hezbollah if they continue with rocket attacks.
Gaza’s healthcare system on brink of ‘total collapse’, says UN report
A UN report has said Israel’s attacks on hospitals in and around Gaza have led the area’s healthcare system to the brink of “total collapse”.
The report by the UN Human Rights Office, titled Attacks on hospitals during the escalation of hostilities in Gaza, examines attacks between October 2023 and June 2024 and said successive attacks raise “serious concerns” about the extent to which Israel is complying with international law.
It says there had been 136 strikes on 27 hospitals and 12 other medical facilities, leading to “significant” casualties among doctors, nurses, medics and other civilians.
It warns that under international law, the “deliberate” destruction of healthcare facilities may constitute a war crime.
The UN high commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said it had led to hospitals becoming a “death trap”.
He said: “As if the relentless bombing and the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza were not enough, the one sanctuary where Palestinians should have felt safe in fact became a death trap. The protection of hospitals during warfare is paramount and must be respected by all sides, at all times.
“This report graphically details the destruction of the healthcare system in Gaza, and the extent of killing of patients, staff, and other civilians in these attacks in blatant disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law.”
France bombs Islamic State targets in Syria
French aircraft have bombed Islamic State positions in Syria, the country’s defence minister Sebastien Lecornu has announced.
The strikes are the first on Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
“Our armed forces remain engaged in battling terrorism in the Levant,” Lecornu posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, while on a New Year visit to French UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
“On Sunday, French air assets carried out targeted strikes against Daesh on Syrian soil,” he added, using the Arabic name for IS.
The defence ministry told AFP that France’s Rafale fighter jets and US-made Reaper drones “dropped a total of seven bombs on two military targets belonging to Daesh in central Syria”.
France has belonged to the Inherent Resolve international coalition against IS since 2014 for Iraq and 2015 for Syria.
French troops involved in the operations are based in the region, including in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
As Assad’s fall to a shock offensive by Syrian rebels led by a radical Sunni group rapidly reshapes the country, observers fear space could be left for IS to regather its strength.
The group has survived in both Iraq and Syria despite the destruction of its so-called caliphate that lasted from 2014-19.
Washington said in mid-December that it had doubled American troop numbers fighting jihadists in Syria, to about 2,000.
Its Central Command – responsible for the Middle East – said it wanted to ensure that IS “does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria”.
Gaza Strip’s economy collapsed in 2024 amid Israeli bombardment, says Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
The president of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Ola Awad, said the Gaza Strip’s economy crumbled this year during the continued Israeli operations in the territory.
According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, Awad said there had also been a sharp decline in the productivity in the West Bank.
Wafa reported: “By the end of 2024, estimates indicate that the unprecedented sharp contraction in the GDP in the Gaza Strip will continue by more than 82%, accompanied by an increase in the unemployment rate to 80%.”
The West Bank’s economy shrunk by more than 19%, with unemployment now standing at more than 35%.
Among the sectors affected were external trade, construction and industry.
Palestinian health authorities say 45 people have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip for hospital treatment in the United Arab Emirates.
They left the European hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis early on Tuesday, Associated Press reports, and travelled through the Kerem Shalom Crossing into Israel.
The patients are accompanied by over 100 of their relatives, according to the hospital.
Among them was a 10-year-old boy, Abdullah Abu Yousef, suffering from kidney failure. The child was accompanied by his sister after the Israeli authorities rejected his mother’s application to join him. Israel says it screens escorts for security.
“The boy is sick,” said his mother, Abeer Abu Yousef. “He requires hemodialysis three to four days a week.”
The Health Ministry says several thousand Palestinians in Gaza need medical treatment abroad.
Israel has controlled all entry and exit points since capturing the southern city of Rafah in May.
Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’ attack in October 2023 has gutted the territory’s health care system and forced most of its hospitals to close.
Those that remain open are only partially functioning.
Syria’s new rulers have confirmed the appointment of Murhaf Abu Qasra as defence minister in the new interim government, according to a statement released on Tuesday.
Reuters had initially reported the appointment of Abu Qasra, a leading figure in the insurgency which toppled Bashar al-Assad, on 21 December after speaking to an official source.
‘Horrors continue unabated’ in Gaza 15 months after conflict started, says head of Unrwa
The head of the UN aid agency for Gaza said “horrors continue unabated” 15 months since the war broke out between Israel and Gaza, triggered by the Hamas terror attack.
Philippe Lazzarini said more than 250 members of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (Unrwa) had been killed since the start of the conflict, and that more than two-thirds of Unrwa buildings have been damaged or destroyed.
Lazzarini, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, said at least 20 Unrwa staff are in Israeli prisons. Those who have been released have reported “mistreatment, humiliation and torture”, he said.
He added: “I reiterate my call for independent investigations into the systematic disregard for the protection of humanitarian workers, premises and operations. This cannot become the new standard and impunity cannot become the new norm.”
He called for the release of all detained humanitarian staff, and hostages, and for Israel to facilitate humanitarian access and lift the “siege” on Gaza.
The Palestinian Civil Defence agency said it has received hundreds of distress calls from displaced people whose tents and shelters have been flooded by rainwater after heavy rain.
“Our crews can only evacuate citizens from their damaged shelters to other places that are mostly unsuitable to shelter, and they remain in the open – under the rain and bitter cold,” it said on Telegram, Al Jazeera reports.
“We appeal to people of conscience to rush to save these families and help them move to suitable shelters that protect them from rainwater,” it added.
The statement added that displaced people in the refugee camps in central Gaza City, al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, Rafah and western Deir el-Balah, in particular, need help.
UN agencies estimate that some 1.6 million people in Gaza are living in makeshift shelters that do not protect them from the cold of winter, with nearly half a million in flood-prone areas.
On Monday Reuters reported a baby had died in a tent amid freezing temperatures and heavy rain. His brother was being treated in intensive care.
The new Syrian government has reportedly appointed former foreign fighters to its armed forces, Reuters has reported.
The new figures include Uyghurs, a Jordanian and a Turk as Damascus tries to shape a patchwork of rebel groups into a professional military, two Syrian sources told the news agency.
The move to give official roles, including senior ones, to jihadists may alarm some foreign governments and Syrian citizens fearful about the new Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) administration’s intentions, despite its pledges not to export Islamic revolution and to rule with tolerance towards Syria’s large minority groups.
Syria’s new rulers, drawn mainly from HTS, have indicated that foreign fighters and their families may be given Syrian citizenship and be allowed to stay in the country because of their contributions to the fight against Assad.
A Syrian government spokesperson did not reply to a request for comment on the thinking behind the appointments.
The sources said that out of a total of almost 50 military roles announced by the Defence Ministry on Sunday, at least six had gone to foreigners.
Reuters and the Guardian have not been able to independently verify the nationalities of the individuals appointed.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the HTS-leader-turned de facto ruler of Syria, has purged dozens of foreign jihadi fighters as part of a campaign to Syrianise and moderate his group.
In remarks broadcast on Sunday, Sharaa said the new Syria “cannot be run by the mentality of groups and militias”
Israeli ambassador to the UN tells Houthis ‘Israel will defend its people’ after recent attacks
Israel has warned Yemen’sHouthi rebels that they face the same “miserable fate” as Hamas and Hezbollah if they continue with rocket attacks.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said the Iran-backed group would be targeted by Israeli military after recent attacks by the Houthis on Israel.
Hours after the warning by Danon, Israel’s military said it had intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, as air raid alarms were sounded.
The Houthis targeted Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv and a power station south of Jerusalem using a hypersonic ballistic missile and a Zulfiqar ballistic missile, respectively, the group’s military spokesperson Yahya Saree said.
Danon told the United Nations: “To the Houthis, perhaps you have not been paying attention to what has happened to the Middle East over the past year.
“Well, allow me to remind you what has happened to Hamas, to Hezbollah, to Assad, to all those who have attempted to destroy us. Let this be your final warning. This is not a threat. It is a promise. You will share the same miserable fate,” Danon said.
Before the meeting, Danon told reporters: “Israel will defend its people. If 2,000 kilometres is not enough to separate our children from the terror, let me assure you, it will not be enough to protect their terror from our strengths.”
On Tuesday, France carried out a bombing raid on Islamic State targets in Syria, according to the country’s defense minister. The operation was part of ongoing efforts to combat the terrorist group and its activities in the region.
The French defense minister confirmed the airstrikes in a statement, saying that the targets were successfully hit and destroyed. The operation was carried out in coordination with international partners and in accordance with international law.
This latest attack comes as part of France’s continued commitment to fighting terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. The country has been actively involved in the fight against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq for several years, working alongside other countries in the region.
The French government has reiterated its determination to eliminate the threat posed by Islamic State and other terrorist organizations, both at home and abroad. The airstrikes in Syria are just one example of the country’s efforts to combat extremism and protect its citizens from harm.
As the situation continues to develop, it is important for all countries to remain vigilant and united in the fight against terrorism. The international community must work together to address the root causes of extremism and prevent further attacks from occurring. France’s latest bombing raid is a clear indication of the country’s commitment to this important cause.
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LATEST: Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sinks in Mediterranean after explosion
The cargo vessel Sparta sent to Syria to bring out Russian military equipment broke down in the open sea and now drifts near the shore of Portugal, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) claimed in a post on Dec. 23.
Concurrently, marine traffic monitors show a Vladivostok-bound cargo ship, Ursa Major, previously registered as Sparta III and visually matching the picture published by HUR, moving at a very low speed of little over 1 knot in the open sea between Spain and Algeria.
“The cargo ship Sparta, which Russia sent to transport its weapons and equipment from Syria, broke down during movement. A fuel pipe of the main engine failed,” Ukraine’s military intelligence claimed.
“The Russian crew is trying to fix the problem and (the ship) is drifting in the open sea near Portugal.”
Marine traffic monitors show the Ursa Major sailing under the Russian flag and previously making port calls in St. Petersburg.
The Kyiv Independent could not verify whether the vessel was sent to Syria to transport Russian military equipment as HUR claims.
Russia, the main backer of the recently ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, began evacuating its military stationed in its bases in Syria. According to HUR, Russian military assets in Syria are now limited to two bases: the airbase in Khmeimim and the naval base in Tartus.
In an earlier statement, the agency claimed that losing the Tartus and Khmeimim bases would significantly damage Russia’s presence in the Middle East and solidify its defeat in the region.
According to the agency, the victorious rebel leadership is negotiating with the Kremlin to close their remaining bases in the country no later than February 2025.
In a recent development, a cargo vessel that was sent to transport Russian military equipment from Syria has reportedly broken down in the open sea, according to Ukraine’s intelligence agency.
The vessel, which was carrying a significant amount of military equipment and supplies, was reportedly headed towards Russia when it experienced technical difficulties and was forced to come to a halt. Ukrainian intelligence sources claim that the breakdown was not accidental, but rather a deliberate act by unknown actors who are seeking to disrupt the transportation of military equipment to Russia.
This incident has raised concerns about the security of military shipments in the region and has sparked speculation about possible sabotage attempts by rival nations. The Russian government has yet to comment on the situation, but it is clear that this development will have significant implications for the ongoing conflict in Syria and the broader geopolitical landscape.
As more details emerge about the cargo vessel’s breakdown and the potential motives behind it, the international community will be closely monitoring the situation to see how it unfolds. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
A rescue flotilla dispatched by Russian naval authorities to recover troops and equipment evacuating Syria was, per open sources, far from its destination and spread out across the open seas, according to international shipping databases on Tuesday.
Ukrainian military information platforms reported on Dec. 25 that Russian naval authorities were assembling a five-ship convoy of transport vessels sailing in two groups, with the ultimate destination being Tartus in Syria, Russia’s sole naval base in the Mediterranean Sea.
Analysts have predicted the Russian evacuation of substantial forces from Syria, and possibly the base itself, following the downfall of Russian ally and former Syrian authoritarian leader Bashar al-Assad. The Russian attempt to concentrate transport vessels for evacuation is going slowly and has already hit hitches.
One group of two ships, the Sparta II heavy transport vessel and the tanker General Skobelev, per Tuesday’s tracking data, had left Russian naval bases in the Baltic Sea and were in the southern Bay of Biscay, some nine days’ sailing from their announced destination the Egyptian Port Said, tracking platforms showed.
A second group of three vessels included the amphibious assault warships Ivan Gren and Aleksandr Ostrakovskiy, according to Ukrainian media and Portuguese Navy statements. Ukrainian sources said the civilian heavy transport vessel Sparta I was also part of the group.
The Russian president said his people should be “proud” of what the country had done during his 25 years in power – without explicitly mentioning his war in Ukraine.
The Ivan Gren and Aleksandr Ostrovsky are combat vessels designed to land troops in a beach attack. Each is rated to carry a maximum of three dozen combat vehicles and around 300 fully-armed troops. The Sparta I is a “Ro-Ro” vessel so-named for having the ability to load vehicles by the vehicle’s driving aboard under its own power.
The two Russian warships, according to a late December Portuguese Navy press release entitled “We. Are. Watching.,” passed the Strait of Gibraltar early in the evening on Dec. 22 and entered the Mediterranean. The navy patrol ships NRP Álvares Cabral and NRP Sines escorted the Russian ships through Portuguese Economic Zone waters, the statement said. There was no mention of civilian ships monitored by Portuguese authorities.
Others reported that Sparta I and a similar vessel named Ursa Major passed the Strait of Gibraltar at approximately the same time with the same heading.
On Dec. 24, the Ursa Major sank off the coast of Spain after an unexplained engine room explosion. Fourteen crew members were rescued and two were missing. A Spanish warship observed the sinking, but a Russian military vessel took charge of rescue operations, news reports said.
According to open source materials and a Russian Foreign Ministry statement, the Ursa Major had been carrying nuclear icebreaker reactor hatches and two Germany-manufactured port cranes with a 120-ton capacity to the Russian Far East port Vladivostok.
A statement by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) said that the vessel had been tasked with participating in Russia’s evacuation effort from Syria, and it identified the ship’s owner as Oboronlogistika, a Russian military contractor supporting the Russian Defense Ministry’s logistics operations.
International tracking systems on Tuesday showed no sign of the two Russian warships’ location – a possible indication that the captains had ordered ship trackers turned off while in open seas.
However, the Sparta I was visible to civilian tracking networks on Tuesday, and it was shown to be some 150 km southeast of Sicily. No information was available on Sparta I’s past track. However, had the ship sailed directly to Port Said at normal speeds, it would have reached its destination last week. A possible explanation would be that the ship (and possibly the two warships) are marking time at sea.
Yigal Levin, an Israeli military writer, said in a Saturday comment that the Sparta I, once reaching the central Mediterranean, “has begun to act strangely,” reducing its speed to six knots and apparently sailing in circles. The warships Ivan Gren and Aleksandr Ostrakovskiy have likely pressed onward, he said.
As to their real destination, Yaval said of Sparta I: “Officially, it was heading to Egypt, but everyone, not without reason, believed that its real purpose was to help evacuate Russian military equipment from Syria. However, it has now fallen behind the formation, which also included two large landing ships, which are continuing their journey to Syria.
“Considering the recent sinking of the Ursa Major, one can expect that strange occurrences with the Russian fleet in the Mediterranean will spread and continue,” Yigal said.
The Russian Rescue Flotilla, sent to aid Syria in the wake of ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis, is still far from reaching its intended destination. Despite setting sail weeks ago, the flotilla has encountered numerous delays and obstacles along the way.
The flotilla, consisting of several ships carrying supplies and personnel, was dispatched by the Russian government to provide much-needed assistance to the war-torn country. However, logistical challenges and geopolitical tensions have hampered their progress, leading to a prolonged journey.
As the situation in Syria continues to deteriorate, the delay in the arrival of the Russian Rescue Flotilla is causing concern among humanitarian organizations and government officials. The need for immediate aid and support in Syria is urgent, and any further delays could have serious consequences for the civilian population.
Efforts are being made to expedite the flotilla’s journey and ensure that it reaches Syria as soon as possible. However, the challenges facing the rescue mission highlight the complexities and difficulties of providing assistance in a conflict zone.
Stay tuned for updates on the Russian Rescue Flotilla and the ongoing crisis in Syria.
