English LCCC Newsbulletin For Lebanese, Lebanese Related, Global News & Editorials
For March 14/2025
Compiled & Prepared by: Elias Bejjani
#elias_bejjani_news

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Bible Quotations For today
God Grants Mercy For  that those Grant Others Mercy
Matthew 18/23-35/"‘For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything." And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow-slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, "Pay what you owe." Then his fellow-slave fell down and pleaded with him, "Have patience with me, and I will pay you."But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow-slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, "You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow-slave, as I had mercy on you?"And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he should pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’"

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on March 13-14/2025
May the Curse Be Upon the Political Parties and Officials Who Betrayed the Cedar Revolution and Sold Out the March 14 Coalition/Elias Bejjan/March 14/ 2025
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Ottomans rule Syria/Elias Bejjani/March 13/2025
Political Islam Is A Constant Threat of Deception and War/Elias Bejjani/March 12/2025
The Obligation of Gratitude: A Fundamental Virtue in the Believer's Life/Elias Bejjani/March 11, 2025
The Policy of Procrastination, Hesitation, and Indecision/Etienne Sakr – Abu Arz/March 13/2025
Lebanon seeks to firm up state authority by naming new army chief, top security officials
I’m not impressed with the Lebanese Forces’ performance/Guila Fakhoury/X site/March 13/2025
Lebanese govt. says talks with Israel 'still indirect', rejects 'normalization'
Lebanese boy, 12, dies of head injury after man opens fire over half a chicken
Cabinet approves appointments of army commander, security chiefs
Lebanon Seeks to Firm Up State Authority by Naming New Army Chief, Top Security Officials
Lebanese Army Receives Released Soldier Detained by Israel on Sunday
Netanyahu Vows to Hold Positions in Lebanon
Israel Released Fifth Lebanese Detainee
Lebanon appoints new security chiefs in move away from Hezbollah influence
UK Vice Admiral reiterates support to Lebanon’s long-term stability and security
Official Start of Negotiations with IMF, Jaber Confirms: No Write-Off of Deposits
IMF Mission Concludes Meetings in Beirut/Maurice Matta/This Is Beirut/March 13/2025
W. Joumblatt Bans Certain PSP Members from Sunday's Commemorative Ceremony
Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta Visits Lebanon
It Feels Like the South... but Now, It's the North!/Marc Saikali/This is Beirut/March 13/2025
Behind the ScenesKulluna Irada: A Law-Breaking Association – Should Its License Be Revoked?
Diplomatic Uncertainties and Reconstruction: Lebanon’s Challenges Amid International Expectations/Tylia El Helou/his is Beirut/March 13/2025

Titles For The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on March 13-14/2025
Emirati diplomat with letter from Trump meets with Iran's FM
US imposes sanctions on Iranian oil minister, shadow fleet
U.S. officials act to block illicit Iranian oil trade with China
What to know about tensions between Iran and the US as Trump sends a letter to its supreme leader
One killed in Israel strike on Damascus building
Syrian leader signs constitutional declaration, hailing ‘new history’
Israeli Druze prepare for first visit by Syrian Druze in decades
On 14th anniversary of Syrian civil war, UN chief warns nation’s future hangs in the balance
Syria flashes signs of peril and promise in a week of violence and diplomacy
Turkey says forces killed 24 Kurdish militants in Syria, Iraq in a week
Israel sends humanitarian aid to Druze in Syria, foreign ministry says
Egypt, Hamas, PLO hail Trump remarks on not 'expelling' Palestinians
Israeli PM Netanyahu to visit Hungary soon, Orban aide says
Russia says 9,000 Syrians fleeing violence have taken refuge at its Hmeimim air base
US negotiators to set out Ukraine truce plan to Russia
Putin backs US ceasefire idea for Ukraine in principle, but says there’s a lot to clarify
Trump threatens Russia with 'devastating' economic pain if it doesn't sign cease-fire
Kuwait frees group of jailed Americans, including contractors held on drug charges

Titles For The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on March 13-14/2025
U.S. Hostage 'Negotiator' Says Hamas Wants Peace, Offers '15-Year Truce', U.S. Rebuilding of Gaza/Daniel Greenfield/Gatestone Institute./March 13, 2025
Syria shows dangerous signs of Iraq’s post-Saddam chaos/Sally Michael, opinion contributor/The Hill/ March 13, 2025
Egypt’s Sisi: Camp David Is a Model for Lasting Peace/Mariam Wahba/FDD/March 12, 2025
Why did Syria’s Kurds sign a deal with the new regime?/Sinan Ciddi/FDD's Long War Journal/March 13/2025
Why Syria's Future Depends On Empowering The Kurds/By Azado Kurdian/MEMRI Daily Brief No. 738/March 13/2025
The Houthis’ four-year honeymoon is over/Dalia Al-Aqidi/Arab News/March 13, 2025
Rethinking peace and coexistence in the AI age/Rafael Hernández de Santiago/Arab News/March 13, 2025
Kurds signal the end of their rebellion in Syria/Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg/Arab News/March 13, 2025
How Iran is exploiting sectarian strife in Syria/Hani Hazaimeh/Arab News/March 13, 2025
Saving Sudan’s children must be a global priority/Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/March 13, 2025
On Violence, What Precedes It, and What Follows/Hazem Saghieh/Asharq Al Awsat/March 13/2025

The Latest English LCCC Lebanese & Lebanese Related News & Editorials published on March 13-14/2025
May the Curse Be Upon the Political Parties and Officials Who Betrayed the Cedar Revolution and Sold Out the March 14 Coalition
Elias Bejjan/March 14/ 2025
On the anniversary of the March 14 uprising, we bow in reverence to the souls of the righteous, sovereign, and heroic martyrs who sacrificed everything for Lebanon’s freedom. Yet, their noble sacrifices were shamelessly betrayed by mercenary Lebanese leaders, officials, and politicians who sold out the Cedar Revolution and the March 14 Coalition. These opportunists disgraced the martyrs’ legacy by crawling into the Trojan presidential deal with the occupier—the Iranian terrorist militia, Hezbollah.
History will forever brand these political dwarfs with humiliation and contempt. If remembered at all, it will only be with disgrace. They will rot in history’s dustbin, condemned for their treachery. Driven by greed and blinded by selfish ambition, they succumbed to the temptations of power, betraying the very cause for which so many gave their lives. They bartered away Lebanon’s sovereignty, the people’s revolution, and the blood of the martyrs for authority and personal gain. Their betrayal was a direct insult to those who paid the ultimate price for freedom.
Because of their shortsightedness, narcissism, and servility, Hezbollah has entrenched its full control over Lebanon. This heinous betrayal led to Lebanon’s downfall—stripping it of its role, its message, and its sovereignty, and surrendering it to Iranian occupation.
Yet, despite their treachery, the true spirit of March 14 remains alive. It thrives in the hearts, minds, and consciences of the free and sovereign Lebanese people. It is only dead in the corrupted hearts of the political parties, officials, and politicians who betrayed it—those who traded Lebanon’s sovereignty for personal benefits and power.
In times of darkness and oppression, the people of March 14 are a national necessity. When submission and surrender dominate, the spirit of March 14 is the answer. And in an era of deceit, cowardice, and the fraudulent rhetoric of so-called "political realism," the people of March 14 have unmasked the Trojans, exposing their lies and disgrace.
Even as self-interest prevails over national duty, the principles and values of March 14 endure. While the blood of the martyrs is disregarded by the traitors, the true March 14 faithful will never forget their sacrifices nor allow their cause to be sold. In this era of betrayal, where Lebanon’s fate is dictated by Trojans, scribes, and Pharisees dragging the nation into ruin, the presence of the people of March 14 is essential. As corrupt politicians lose their moral compass, abandoning the ideals of freedom and dignity, the goals and struggles of March 14 remain the foundation, the solution, and the cornerstone of Lebanon’s salvation. In the end, the spirit of March 14 is not just a memory—it is a burning force that will continue to inspire resistance, unite the free, and reignite the fight for Lebanon’s liberation.

The Muslim Brotherhood and the Ottomans rule Syria
Elias Bejjani/March 13/2025
May God help the Syrian people, regardless of their sectarian and regional background. They have been rid of a criminal, chemical-weapon regime and are now afflicted with another Brotherhood-aligned, abolitionist regime that is creating a jihadist Islamic constitution dating back 1,400 years. This is political Islam par excellence.

Political Islam Is A Constant Threat of Deception and War
Elias Bejjani/March 12/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/03/141141/
Political Islam, both Sunni and Shia, poses a serious and ongoing threat to any society it seeks to control. In its ideology, the world is divided into two categories: Dar al-Islam (House of Islam)—where Islamic rule is established, and Dar al-Harb (House of War)—where all means, including deception and violence, are justified to bring it under Islamic rule.
This is not just a theoretical belief; it is a deeply rooted strategy followed by jihadist movements. A key historical example is the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, which Prophet Muhammad signed with the Jewish tribes when he was weak, only to break it once he gained enough power. Today, this same tactic is used by Islamist movements, whether Sunni—such as the Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and Boko Haram—or Shia—led by Iran and its armed proxies in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
History Repeats Itself: Political Islam and the Hudaybiyyah Strategy
When Prophet Muhammad signed the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, his goal was to buy time until he could grow stronger. As soon as the balance of power shifted in his favor, he broke the agreement and attacked his former allies. This strategy remains a core principle of political Islam today. It is the foundation of Taqiyya, the Islamic practice of deception, where agreements are made only to be abandoned when power is secured.
A modern example of this Hudaybiyyah strategy is Iran’s nuclear deal with the West. When Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015, it used Taqiyya to deceive the international community.
The Iranian regime presented itself as a responsible actor willing to limit its nuclear ambitions in exchange for economic relief. However, from the beginning, Iran never intended to fully comply. Instead, it used the deal to buy time, expand its regional influence, develop its ballistic missile program, and secretly advance its nuclear capabilities. The moment Iran felt strong enough, it openly violated the agreement, accelerating uranium enrichment and defying Western sanctions. Just like Muhammad’s Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, Iran’s nuclear deal was nothing more than a temporary truce—meant to be broken once the regime gained the upper hand.
Sunni and Shia Political Islam:
Two Sides of the Same Coin
There is no fundamental difference between Sunni and Shia political Islam. Both operate under the same principles of expansion and domination. Iran, the main force behind Shia political Islam, never views treaties as permanent. Instead, it uses them to expand its control—whether through so-called “settlements” in Lebanon and Syria or by infiltrating governments in Iraq and Yemen. Likewise, Sunni Islamist movements, such as the Muslim Brotherhood and Al-Nusra Front, follow the same method: they negotiate, they deceive, and then they strike when the time is right.
Ahmad al-Sharaa’s Agreements in Syria: A Repeat of the Hudaybiyyah Deception
Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Joulani, has become a key figure in political Islam thanks to Turkish and Qatari support, combined with Western naïveté. As an Islamist ideologue and a firm believer in the Hudaybiyyah strategy, his agreements with various ethnic and sectarian groups—such as the Kurds, Druze, and others in Syria—should not be mistaken for genuine peace efforts. Sharaa views his current agreements as temporary tools to consolidate power and the moment he feels strong enough, he will turn against his so-called partners, enforcing his Islamist rule through force and intimidation.
History offers countless examples of Islamist movements using deception to gain power before betraying their agreements. Iran did the same with its nuclear deal, and Hamas has done the same in every ceasefire it signed before resuming its attacks. Sharaa is no different. Those who trust his agreements are either unaware of history or deliberately choosing to ignore it.
The future of Syria under Sharaa is clear: any agreement he signs today will be meaningless tomorrow. He is an extremist who sees Syria not as a nation, but as a battlefield for Islamic rule. Those who believe they can coexist with him under negotiated settlements will soon learn the hard lesson that jihadist ideology does not recognize permanent peace—only temporary truces that are broken when the time is right.
The Final Message: No Middle Ground with Political Islam
No agreement with Islamist movements—whether Sunni or Shia—can be trusted. These groups follow the Hudaybiyyah strategy and practice Taqiyya, meaning they will make deals when they are weak and break them when they are strong. Iran’s nuclear deal is just another proof that political Islam cannot be contained with diplomacy. History is clear, and recent events confirm that these groups understand only one language: the language of power. Any compromise with them is not a step toward peace but a step toward future war and destruction.
*The author, Elias Bejjani, is a Lebanese expatriate activist
Author’s Email: Phoenicia@hotmail.com
Author’s Website: https://eliasbejjaninews.com

The Obligation of Gratitude: A Fundamental Virtue in the Believer's Life
Elias Bejjani/March 11, 2025
Gratitude, the acknowledgment of goodness, is one of the highest human virtues that every individual must embody. It is an expression of appreciation and recognition toward those who have helped us in times of need. Conversely, denying acts of kindness and refusing to assist those who once extended a helping hand reflect traits that contradict sound human nature and religious teachings.
In the Christian faith, gratitude is not merely a moral behavior but an essential component of the human relationship with the Creator. God granted us life and intellect freely and bestowed upon us His countless blessings. The Lord Jesus underscored this principle when He commanded His disciples during their mission to spread the Gospel: "Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8). This is an invitation to unconditional giving and to gratitude for the blessings we have received as gifts from a loving Father.
The Holy Bible emphasizes the importance of gratitude in the believer’s life. In the First Epistle to the Thessalonians (5:16-18), there is an explicit call to practice this virtue: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Gratitude is not only linked to times of prosperity but must be a continuous practice, whether in ease or hardship.
The Psalms repeatedly call for praise and acknowledgment of God’s goodness. As Psalm 136:1 declares: "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." This reveals that gratitude should be constant, stemming from our awareness of God's eternal mercy. Likewise, King David expresses his deep gratitude to God after overcoming trials, proclaiming in Psalm 30: "O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me... You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever" (Psalm 30:1-12).
Even in difficult times, gratitude remains a spiritual necessity. The prophet Job, despite losing everything, never lost the spirit of thanksgiving, stating: "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). This teaches us that gratitude should not be conditioned by comfort or material wealth but should be rooted in deep faith in God's wisdom and care.
The Apostle Paul also emphasizes that gratitude is a defining trait of the true believer, manifesting as a continuous act of worship infused with self-respect, respect for others, and reverence.
Gratitude to God liberates a person from selfishness and despair, reminding him that the good he receives is not by his effort alone but is a divine gift. Expressing gratitude shifts the focus from personal desires and daily hardships to the recognition that God is the supreme Master of life. As the Apostle James affirms: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17).
The obligation of gratitude extends beyond our relationship with God to our dealings with others. Just as we seek God's blessings, we must also show appreciation to those who have been kind to us and never forget those who stood by us in difficult times. It has been wisely said that he who does not thank people does not thank God—a profound human value that should define our way of life.
Among the greatest expressions of gratitude is the duty children owe to their parents. Parents dedicate their lives to raising their children with love and sacrifice, often setting aside their personal needs for the well-being of their offspring. As they age, the responsibility of children does not end upon their independence; rather, they must continue to honor and care for their parents, especially in their old age when they are vulnerable. The Holy Bible commands this explicitly in the Fifth Commandment: "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12). This commandment is not mere advice but a divine obligation, reminding us that gratitude toward parents is an essential part of faith and righteousness. Neglecting parents in their old age is a grave moral failure that contradicts the values of love and respect taught in the Bible. The sacrifices parents make in raising their children should never be forgotten; it is the duty of every child to repay this kindness with love, care, and dedication.
The believer and the wise person understand that righteousness toward parents is one of the most beloved deeds to God. In the end, gratitude is a virtue that not only elevates a person spiritually but also fills the heart with peace and contentment. The more we cultivate gratitude within ourselves, the more we grow in happiness and fulfillment. By embracing gratitude, we walk in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ and follow the teachings of the Holy Bible, which call us to be a thankful people who recognize every moment of life as an opportunity for praise and glorification.

The Policy of Procrastination, Hesitation, and Indecision
Etienne Sakr – Abu Arz/March 13/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/03/141172/
Once again, events have proven that the Lebanese state is neither serious about confronting challenges nor worthy of the opportunities available to reclaim its hijacked sovereignty and confiscated decision-making. Following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon on November 27, 2024, the Lebanese state—through its army—was expected to assume full control over its territories and enforce international resolutions, most notably Resolution 1559, which explicitly mandates the disarmament of all Lebanese, Palestinian, and other militias operating on Lebanese soil.
Yet, what unfolded was the exact opposite. While Israel withdrew from most of the areas it had occupied, the Lebanese army failed to take any real steps to disarm Hezbollah or dismantle its entrenched military infrastructure. Instead, it merely deployed its forces without daring to engage in any confrontation with the terrorist group. Worse still, rather than asserting itself as a sovereign authority, the Lebanese state has become nothing more than a protective shield for Hezbollah—justifying its armed presence, obstructing the implementation of international obligations, and stalling for time under the cover of French diplomatic support, according to informed press sources.
As for claims that the Lebanese Army is secretly dismantling Hezbollah’s military apparatus “behind the scenes” to protect itself and maintain face, this is nothing but a blatant deception propagated by conspirators to obscure the state’s paralysis and mislead public opinion. Hezbollah operates under its own laws, disregards the authority of the Lebanese state, and has dragged the country into a devastating war it never sought.
The height of insolence came when Speaker Nabih Berri, during the Lebanese President’s visit to Saudi Arabia, brazenly declared: “We will not trade our weapons for reconstruction” and falsely claimed that Resolution 1701 does not apply north of the Litani River! This shocking statement left the Lebanese people wondering: Was he speaking as the Speaker of Parliament or as the leader of the Amal Movement militia?
Today’s battle is no longer just about liberating land—it is a battle to reclaim the entire homeland from the grip of its captors. This will not be achieved through hesitation, procrastination, evasion, or diplomatic appeasement, but through a decisive and uncompromising confrontation. The Lebanese nation—especially the Shiite community—must break free from this malignant Iranian tumor before it is too late.
Beloved Lebanon we are at your service,
**(Free translation from Arabic by Elias Bejjani)

Lebanon seeks to firm up state authority by naming new army chief, top security officials
The Canadian Press/The Associated Press/March 13, 2025
Lebanon appointed a new army chief and heads of three security agencies on Thursday as the government seeks to firm up state authority, especially in the country's south, following the militant Hezbollah group's devastating war with Israel. The appointments also come after Lebanese political faction in January overcame a crippling, two-year deadlock, electing a president, Joseph Aoun, a former army chief, and forming a new government under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire went into effect in late November, halting nearly 14 months of fighting between Hezbollah and Israel. The militants began firing rockets into Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, a day after a deadly Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. Israel responded with shelling and airstrikes in Lebanon, and the two sides became locked in an escalating conflict that became a full-blown war last September. In announcing the new appointments, Aoun also said that five Lebanese nationals detained by Israeli troops during the fighting have been released following indirect negotiations. Morgan Ortagus, deputy special envoy for Middle East in the Trump administration, told Lebanon’s Al Jadeed television on Tuesday that the five were a mix of soldiers and civilians. Ortagus said she was confident Lebanon and Israel would resolve outstanding territorial disputes. The new appointees include army chief, Gen. Rudolph Haikal; head of State Security agency, Brig. Gen. Edgar Lawandos, and Brig. Gen. Hassan Choucair, who was named head of General Security. Brig. Gen. Raed Abdullah was named head of Internal Security Forces. Lebanon would also recruit 4,500 soldiers this year to help further increase its military's presence in its southern region.

I’m not impressed with the Lebanese Forces’ performance.
Guila Fakhoury/X site/March 13/2025
It’s shameful to see such weak leadership in Lebanon. The Lebanese Forces continue to avoid talking about normalization with Israel, always playing it safe and trying to fit in. If you truly represent the largest Christian group in Lebanon, it’s time to stand up for our country and push for normalization to save Lebanon. Without it, Lebanon will always be a battleground for others. I’m not impressed with the Lebanese Forces’ performance. They need to show real leadership and stop shying away from taking initiatives. We want strong Christian leaders, not cowards!

Lebanese govt. says talks with Israel 'still indirect', rejects 'normalization'
Naharnet/March 13/2025
Lebanon’s negotiations with Israel are “still indirect” and our stance does not support “normalization,” Information Minister Paul Morkos announced Thursday after a cabinet session. Informed sources had told Al-Manar TV that the U.S. and Israel consider that the work of the ceasefire monitoring committee in its military-security nature has “ended” and that “a diplomatic-political committee” should be formed, “However, the Lebanese state has rejected this proposal, seeing as the political-diplomatic aspect means normalization with the enemy,” the sources added. Sources also told Al-Mayadeen TV that “everything that is being said about these groups being a prelude to normalization is baseless.”A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that representatives of the Israeli and Lebanese armies, the U.S. and France agreed during a meeting of the ceasefire committee in Naqoura to "establish three joint working groups aimed at stabilizing the region.""These groups will focus on the five points controlled by Israel in southern Lebanon, discussions on the Blue Line and remaining disputed areas, and the issue of Lebanese detainees held by Israel," the statement added.
The sources told Al-Mayadeen that “these groups are not separate from Resolution 1701 and will not engage in direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.”An Israeli political source said Wednesday that "the discussions are part of a broad and comprehensive plan."“The Prime Minister's policy has already changed the Middle East, and we want to continue the momentum and reach normalization with Lebanon. Just as Lebanon has claims regarding the borders, so do we. We will discuss these matters," the source told Israel’s Channel 12. "We and the Americans think that this is possible after the changes that have occurred in Lebanon," the source said. The United States announced Tuesday that it will be “bringing together Lebanon and Israel for talks aimed at diplomatically resolving several outstanding issues between the two countries.”A statement issued by Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Morgan Ortagus said the issues that will be discussed are “the release of Lebanese prisoners, the remaining disputed points along the Blue Line, and the remaining 5 points where Israeli forces are still deployed.”“Military to military talks concluded in Naqoura, Lebanon today, and subsequently 5 Lebanese prisoners have been released back to Lebanon from Israel,” Ortagus added. “Everyone involved remains committed to maintaining the ceasefire agreement and to fully implement all its terms. We look forward to quickly convening these diplomat-led working groups to resolve outstanding issues, along with our international partners,” she said. "We want to get a political resolution, finally, to the border disputes," Ortagus said in an interview on Al-Jadeed television. "When it comes to the border agreement, the land border agreement, there are 13 points -- I think that six are still problematic," she added. Ortagus added that Israel had "withdrawn from over 99 percent of the territory.""I feel fairly confident that... we can have final resolution on the five points and ultimately on the remaining issues related to the Blue Line," she said. In its Wednesday edition, the pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar newspaper warned that “America has plunged Lebanon into the normalization adventure” and that it is “dragging Lebanon into peace negotiations.” It also quoted the head of the U.S.-based Hostage Aid Worldwide organization Nizar Zakka as saying that “what happened in the file of captives is aimed at paving the way for any peace initiatives and negotiations with Lebanon,” adding that “this is what the U.S. administration is looking for.”

Lebanese boy, 12, dies of head injury after man opens fire over half a chicken
Bassam Zaazaa/Arab News/March 13, 2025
BEIRUT: A 12-year-old Lebanese child died on Thursday after suffering a critical head injury on Monday, shortly before iftar at a chicken restaurant in northern Lebanon. A man opened fire at the location in the Al-Zahriyeh area of Tripoli, reportedly because the owner had refused to sell him half a chicken after running out of the dish. It was reported that Chadi Yousef was mistakenly shot, sustaining a head injury before being rushed to hospital. A staff member at the Tripoli hospital where Yousef was treated told Arab News: “He was in an ICU (intensive care unit) and today (Thursday) his situation deteriorated as he slipped into a coma and passed away a while ago.”Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that the shooter, identified as MK, opened fire at the restaurant after the owner refused to sell him half a grilled chicken. In addition to the boy, a man, referred to as AT, was shot in the hand and also rushed to hospital.
Lebanese Internal Security Forces arrived at the scene, opened an immediate investigation, and began searching for the shooter who had escaped the crime scene immediately following the incident.

Cabinet approves appointments of army commander, security chiefs
Naharnet/March 13/2025
The Cabinet on Thursday approved the appointment of Brig. Gen. Rudolph Haykal as army chief, Brig. Gen. Hassan Shqeir as General Security head, Brig. Gen. Raed Abdallah as Internal Security Forces chief and Brig. Gen. Edgard Lawandos as State Security head. “The army and security appointments were according to expertise and competency, and we’re working in Cabinet with accuracy and strong keenness on standards and competency,” Information Minister Paul Morkos said after a Cabinet meeting. The Cabinet also approved the recruitment of 4,500 army soldiers in three batches, Morkos added. Moreover, he said that Cabinet will hold a special session on Monday to discuss a mechanism for administrative appointments. “A draft law has been prepared to lower fees in the 2025 state budget,” he added. “President Joseph Aoun clarified during the session that the International Monetary Fund delegation has stressed the need to appoint a central bank governor and the appoint the banking secrecy law, which needs extra amendments, and the banks restructuring law,” Morkos said. Aoun also said that Lebanese authorities are following up on the developments in Syria and that security agencies maintain high readiness to deal with any related emergency.

Lebanon Seeks to Firm Up State Authority by Naming New Army Chief, Top Security Officials
Asharq Al Awsat/March 13/2025
Lebanon appointed a new army chief and heads of three security agencies on Thursday as the government seeks to firm up state authority, especially in the country's south, following a devastating war with Israel. The appointments also come after Lebanese political faction in January overcame a crippling, two-year deadlock, electing a president, Joseph Aoun, a former army chief, and forming a new government under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. A US-brokered ceasefire went into effect in late November, halting nearly 14 months of fighting between Hezbollah and Israel. The militants began firing rockets into Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, a day after a deadly Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. Israel responded with shelling and airstrikes in Lebanon, and the two sides became locked in an escalating conflict that became a full-blown war last September.
In announcing the new appointments, Aoun also said that five Lebanese nationals detained by Israeli troops during the fighting have been released following indirect negotiations. Morgan Ortagus, deputy special envoy for Middle East in the Trump administration, told Lebanon’s Al Jadeed television on Tuesday that the five were a mix of soldiers and civilians. Ortagus said she was confident Lebanon and Israel would resolve outstanding territorial disputes. The new appointees include army chief, Gen. Rudolph Haikal; head of State Security agency, Brig. Gen. Edgar Lawandos, and Brig. Gen. Hassan Choucair, who was named head of General Security. Brig. Gen. Raed Abdullah was named head of Internal Security Forces. Lebanon would also recruit 4,500 soldiers this year to help further increase its military's presence in its southern region.

Lebanese Army Receives Released Soldier Detained by Israel on Sunday
Asharq Al Awsat/March 13/2025
The Lebanese army on Thursday received a soldier who had been detained by Israel on Sunday, the army said in a post on X. Israel had said on Tuesday it would release five Lebanese held by its military in a "gesture to the Lebanese president".The army said the soldier was returned through the International Committee of the Red Cross and was transferred to a hospital for treatment, reported Reuters. While the army did not identify the person released, it said on Sunday it had lost contact with one of its soldiers after he was shot while wearing civilian clothes by Israeli forces near the border in southern Lebanon and then was taken into Israel. Lebanon received on Tuesday four detainees who had been detained by Israeli forces during the last war, the Lebanese presidency said. Israel and Lebanon struck a truce deal brokered by Washington in November that ended more than a year of conflict between Israel's military and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah that was playing out in parallel with the Gaza war.
The four were not identified as soldiers.
Israel Shocks Lebanon with Plan to Link Withdrawal to Normalization
Beirut: Nazeer Rida/Asharq Al Awsat/March 13/2025
Lebanon’s government and public were caught off guard by Israeli leaks suggesting a potential deal that would link Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory and the demarcation of land borders to a normalization agreement between Beirut and Tel Aviv.However, Lebanon firmly rejects the idea, stressing that border talks are strictly security-focused, limited to Israel’s withdrawal, border delineation, and the release of detainees. The leaks, attributed to an Israeli political source, emerged a day after Israel released four Lebanese detainees in what it described as a “goodwill gesture.” The development coincided with preparations for negotiations on disputed border points. Israeli media quoted a political source as saying that talks with Lebanon are part of a broader, comprehensive plan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies have reshaped the Middle East, and Israel wants to maintain this momentum to achieve normalization with Lebanon, the source said. Just as Lebanon has demands regarding the border, Israel has its own demands as well, and these issues will be discussed, the source further stated. The remarks were seen as an Israeli attempt to link border demarcation and withdrawal from Lebanese territory to a normalization agreement, according to a Lebanese lawmaker following the developments. However, Lebanon firmly rejects any such linkage, considering it an overreach beyond the mandate of the committee overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire agreement that took effect on November 26. A senior Lebanese official told Asharq Al-Awsat that the idea of linking border discussions to normalization with Israel is “not on the table for Lebanon.” The official emphasized that the mandate of the five-nation committee, formed after the recent conflict, is “security-focused, not political,” and is strictly limited to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The official explained that the committee's role is “confined to overseeing Israel’s withdrawal from five remaining occupied border points, demarcating the 13 disputed border areas, and securing the release of Lebanese detainees held by Israel.”
While the remarks were attributed to an unnamed source rather than an official spokesperson, they caught Lebanese officials off guard. Diplomatic sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry had not been informed of any such proposal and that no international official had raised the issue so far. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun met on Tuesday with US General Jasper Jeffers, head of the ceasefire monitoring committee, alongside US Ambassador Lisa Johnson, ahead of a committee meeting in Naqoura. According to the Lebanese presidency, Aoun urged the committee chief to pressure Israel to implement the agreement, withdraw from the five occupied hills, and release Lebanese detainees.

Netanyahu Vows to Hold Positions in Lebanon
This is Beirut/March 13/2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Thursday that Israel will maintain control over the five positions where it maintains a presence inside Lebanese territory, ruling out any possibility of withdrawal. “We will not give up control of five positions in Lebanese territory,” Netanyahu said. He further stated that Israeli forces had killed five Hezbollah members last week, accusing the pro-Iranian group of violating the ceasefire agreement. “We are vigorously enforcing the ceasefire, and any breach will be met with a firm response,” he added.

Israel Released Fifth Lebanese Detainee
This is Beirut/AFP/March 13/2025
The Lebanese army said it received on Thursday a soldier taken by Israel last weekend, after Israel handed over four other detainees earlier this week. "The army, through the International Committee of the Red Cross received (on Thursday) the soldier who was kidnapped by the Israeli enemy" on Sunday, the army said on X, adding that he had been transported to a hospital for treatment. On Tuesday, Lebanon received four detainees who had been taken into custody by Israel during its war with Hezbollah, after Israel announced it was releasing them. "Lebanon received four Lebanese prisoners who were detained by Israeli forces during the last war," the presidency said at the time, adding the fifth was due to be released the following day. Israel had earlier said it was releasing the five as a goodwill gesture to Lebanon's recently appointed President Joseph Aoun. "In coordination with the United States and as a gesture to Lebanon's new president, Israel has agreed to release five Lebanese detainees," the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. The office said the decision came after a meeting held earlier in the day in the Lebanese border town of Naqoura that included representatives of the Israeli army, the United States, France and Lebanon. In an interview to Lebanese news channel Al-Jadeed, US deputy special envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus said the five Lebanese prisoners were a mix of civilians and soldiers. On November 27, Israel and Lebanon agreed to a US-French mediated truce that has largely halted more than a year of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, including two months of full-blown war in which Israel sent in ground troops. While the ceasefire continues to hold, Israel has periodically carried out air strikes on Lebanon that it says are to prevent Hezbollah from rearming or returning to the area along its northern border.

Lebanon appoints new security chiefs in move away from Hezbollah influence
NAJIA HOUSSARI/Arab News/March 13, 2025
BEIRUT: The Lebanese government has taken a significant step away from Hezbollah interference with the appointment of several new security chiefs, though vacancies remain at the head of the nation’s central bank and within its diplomatic and judicial sectors. The new appointments are Gen. Rudolph Haykal as army chief, Brig. Gen. Hassan Choucair as head of general security, Brig. Gen. Raed Abdullah as head of Internal Security Forces and Brig. Gen. Edgar Lawandos as head of the agency for state security. Hezbollah and the Amal Movement had nominated Brig. Morshed Suleiman to head up the general security agency, as the position belongs to the Shiite sect, but the president and prime minister rejected that proposal and instead appointed him deputy director general of state security. President Joseph Aoun, who headed the Cabinet meeting, told ministers he had “reviewed the professional history of the newly appointed individuals and was reassured by it.”However, he added that the new chiefs would “be held accountable according to their actions” and that “the Cabinet can dismiss them if needed, just like it appointed them.”Aoun said that “what matters is restoring internal and external confidence in Lebanon, which requires reforming economic, banking, financial and other sectors.”The president told the Cabinet that the International Monetary Fund delegation he met on Wednesday stressed “the importance and the urgency of finalizing a program agreement before summer, citing previous unsuccessful attempts.”
The IMF representatives outlined several prerequisites, including the appointment of a new central bank governor, the creation of a centralized data system for the finance ministry and the passage of two vital pieces of legislation — revisions to the banking secrecy law and a comprehensive bank restructuring framework. Aoun said that the nation’s security apparatus, as well as defense and interior ministries, remained “on high alert monitoring Syrian developments” along Lebanon’s northern and eastern frontiers. Following their appointments, the new security leaders paid an official visit to the Presidential Palace for meetings with Aoun.Haykal, who hails from Aqtanit in southern Lebanon’s Sidon region, formerly served as army operations director, first brigade commander and South Litani sector commander.
Military sources said he was ready to tackle challenges such as completing the army’s deployment across southern border territories as Israeli forces withdraw from occupied highlands, enhancing collaboration with UNIFIL to fully implement Resolution 1701, preserving military cohesion despite economic constraints, strengthening operational capabilities, sustaining anti-terrorism initiatives and ensuring national security amid an evolving situation in Syria. Choucair originates from Mais Al-Jabal and previously served the Lebanese Intelligence Directorate in investigative and operational capacities throughout Beirut and southern Lebanon. In 2022 he was appointed deputy director general of state security, which involved oversight of counterterrorism operations, anti-espionage efforts and coordination between Lebanon’s various security agencies. Abdullah hails from the town of Chehime in Iqlim Al-Kharroub and previously headed the technical office at the information branch. According to the ISF General Directorate, “Brig. Gen. Abdullah possesses extensive experience in key operational and administrative roles. His career has involved handling complex security issues in Lebanon and he has played a role in counterterrorism efforts in the post-ISIS phase.”Lawandos represented Lebanon on the committee overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire and the enforcement of Resolution 1701. Earlier on Thursday, the Israeli army released Lebanese soldier Ziad Chebli at the Ras Naqoura crossing. Last week, Israeli forces, which continue to occupy strategic Lebanese hills, shot at Chebli while he was in civilian clothes en route to his fiancee’s home, injuring him before capturing him. He underwent surgery on the Israeli side and after being handed over to the Lebanese army was transferred to a hospital for further treatment.
Aoun described the release of detainees as having been “achieved through indirect negotiations.”
The army issued a statement confirming that it had “received soldier Chebli, who was abducted by the Israeli enemy on March 9, through the International Red Cross and has transferred him to a hospital for treatment.”Lebanese pressure on the committee overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire also led to the release of four Lebanese detainees from Israeli custody two days ago: Hussein Fares from Maroun Al-Ras, Hussein Qutaish from Hula, Ahmed Al-Sayyed Mohammed Shokr and Mohammed Najm. According to unofficial sources, an estimated seven civilians and Hezbollah fighters, as well as several Syrian agricultural workers, are still being held by the Israelis.After the Cabinet session, Deputy Premier Tarek Mitri denied any Lebanese intention to normalize relations with Israel amid discussions about the possibility of resuming negotiations on resolving the dispute over six out of 13 points on the southern land border.
A military source told Arab News: “After completing the military appointments and naming a replacement for Lebanon’s delegate to the ceasefire monitoring committee, Lebanon is set to form three working committees tasked with resolving disputed points with Israel.
“The first will focus on the Israeli occupation of the five hills and the second will follow up on the file of prisoners held by Israel, while the third committee will work on the issue of disputed border points. “All of this falls within the framework of completing Resolution 1701 and does not imply direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.”Following the Cabinet session, Mitri said: “Israel is trying to impose a fait accompli, but Lebanon still maintains its position.” On Wednesday, Israeli media quoted an Israeli political official as saying that discussions with Lebanon regarding the land border were “part of a broad and comprehensive plan. We want to maintain momentum and achieve normalization with Lebanon.”

UK Vice Admiral reiterates support to Lebanon’s long-term stability and security
Naharnet/March 13, 2025
The UK Defense Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME) Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren ended Thursday a two-day visit to Lebanon where he met with senior Lebanese and U.N. officials.m Ahlgren congratulated President Joseph Aoun on his election as President and the formation of a new government, which shows hope and change for the future, as he reiterated the UK’s support for Lebanon’s long-term stability and security. Ahlgren held meetings with Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, Defense Minister Michel Menassa, acting Army Commander Major General Hassan Audeh, Head of LAF Operations, General Rudolph Heykel, and UNIFIL Chief of Staff in Naqoura, Major General Jean-Jacques Fatinet. He was accompanied by the UK Chargé D’Affaires Victoria Dunne and Defense Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Charles Smith. At the end of the visit Dunne said that "the election of a President and the formation of a new government signals a new chapter for Lebanon’s security, stability, and prosperity." "As close partners of Lebanon, we discussed the government’s proposed road map for the country’s recovery and future prosperity. This includes the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement agreed in November 2024," she added. Vice Admiral Ahlgren said "It was a pleasure to meet President Joseph Aoun again following his election in January." He added that the UK will continue to work closely with the Lebanese state and support the Lebanese Armed Forces, "as the sole legitimate military force.""During our visit to Naqoura, we reiterated the UK’s support to UNIFIL peacekeepers' work as a vital tool for Lebanon's security," Ahlgren went on to say. "Lebanon’s future stability is also crucial to regional stability. The UK remains a long-standing friend of Lebanon and the LAF," he said.

Official Start of Negotiations with IMF, Jaber Confirms: No Write-Off of Deposits
This is Beirut/March 13/2025
Lebanese authorities announced the resumption of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reach a final agreement that would grant the country loans while advancing its reform agenda. Talks between the Lebanese government and the IMF began on Wednesday, aiming for a staff-level agreement as a step toward broader negotiations to finalize the deal. Lebanon had previously reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF on April 7, 2022. However, the Fund made the final deal conditional on the implementation of key reforms. The previous government failed to meet these commitments or present a credible rescue plan, leading to its collapse, which also derailed both the initial agreement and negotiations with the IMF. In this context, President Joseph Aoun met with an IMF delegation led by Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, who outlined the Fund’s vision for Lebanon’s recovery from its financial and economic crisis. He stressed the need for a unified financial reform program, coordinated between Lebanese institutions and the IMF, to help restore confidence in the country—a framework he said would also speed up Lebanon’s economic recovery.
President Aoun, for his part, reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to implementing reforms, emphasizing that they are a national priority before being an international demand. The IMF delegation also met with House Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh and later held talks with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Grand Serail, with discussions focusing on reforms and governance.
Among the meetings held by the IMF delegation was one with Minister of Finance Yassine Jaber at the Ministry of Finance, attended by George Maaraoui, Director of Public Finance, along with other relevant directors and experts from the ministry. During the meeting, Jaber reiterated the Lebanese government’s firm commitment to implementing all necessary reforms—not because they are being imposed, but because the country urgently requires them. The IMF delegation’s meetings in Lebanon will continue tomorrow, Thursday, with a session at the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL) at 9:00 AM. According to sources, the delegation sent a set of questions to ABL’s General Secretariat, which will be addressed during tomorrow’s meeting. Another meeting will be held, attended by IMF Mission Head Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Bisat, Acting Governor of the Lebanese Central Bank (BDL) Wassim Mansouri, along with a number of experts and advisers. This takes place while awaiting the formation of the official Lebanese negotiating delegation, which will certainly include Jaber, Bisat and Mansouri (until a new BDL Governor is appointed). The IMF delegation began its meetings in Lebanon earlier this week with experts from the Ministry of Finance, relevant ministries and several general directors, as well as officials from BDL. The delegation is expected to present findings on the evaluation of financial performance, focusing on revenues and expenditures, a review of treasury advances, and progress in preparing financial statements and cash flows to improve transparency in public resource management. The assessment will also cover financial projections, funding sources, the impact of wage increases on public spending, the preparation of the 2026 budget and financing for reconstruction projects. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance will outline the status of public debt, as well as proposed tax and customs reforms.
Minister of Finance Yassine Jaber confirmed that a new agreement between Lebanon and the IMF will be reached. He also mentioned that the Lebanese government will begin the process of appointing a new BDL governor, as this position plays a crucial role in negotiations with the IMF. The latter is expected to return to Lebanon in early April, depending on the appointment of the new central bank governor. Additionally, the Lebanese delegation will meet with IMF officials in Washington during the upcoming spring meetings of the IMF and the World Bank.
Yassine Jaber emphasized that several key issues are being addressed and revised, including the Banking and Credit Law, pending the appointment of a new BDL governor. Once appointed, the new governor will initiate studies on the banking sector, assess the monetary situation and develop a plan accordingly. These efforts will proceed after the appointment of the governor, his deputies and members of the Banking Control Commission. Jaber clarified, “I don't believe there is any discussion about writing off deposits at this stage. The focus is on how to return these deposits. I want to stress that the issue of deposits will be tackled in phases, starting with small depositors, who account for the majority, and then progressing to the subsequent stages.”While most of the IMF's proposed reforms are widely supported, the approach to engaging with the IMF must differ from the previous one, particularly with regard to the negotiation strategy employed by the former government. A new approach is essential, one rooted in the mutual interests of both Lebanon and the IMF, as Lebanon’s current priorities align with those of the depositors. In contrast, the previous government’s strategy focused on the idea of writing off deposits. This plan was halted by a ruling from the Consultative Council, which annulled the proposal put forward by former Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh Chami. The Council’s decision specifically invalidated the key element of the plan, which sought to waive Lebanon’s obligations to the banks—obligations that, at their core, are the deposits of the Lebanese people.

IMF Mission Concludes Meetings in Beirut
Maurice Matta/This Is Beirut/March 13/2025
Finance Minister Yassine Jaber made reassuring remarks regarding negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following an extensive meeting held at the Ministry of Finance with the IMF mission. During the meeting, Jaber affirmed that the elimination or partial deduction of bank deposits is a sovereign and national decision, emphasizing that the very concept is misguided. The key issue today is developing a plan for the restitution of these deposits rather than canceling them. This principle aligns with the inaugural speech of President General Joseph Aoun and the repeated statements of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who has consistently emphasized the sacred nature of deposits, which must remain untouched. It is widely acknowledged that it is impossible to return all deposits overnight, as no banking system in the world can refund all depositors simultaneously. The IMF has expressed its support for a plan aimed at assisting small depositors – who constitute 84% of bank clients – by scheduling the repayment of all deposits progressively, without discrimination between Lebanese, foreign or Arab depositors. All depositors, regardless of nationality, must be treated equally.
Minister Jaber’s approach to IMF negotiations differs significantly from that of the previous government’s negotiators. Those officials had attempted to convince the IMF that writing off deposits was necessary, a proposal that was incorporated into the former government’s plan. However, that plan was rejected by the State Council, which suspended a “project” aimed at annulling the commitments of the Banque du Liban (BDL) to commercial banks – commitments amounting to approximately $70 billion, which are, in fact, the deposits of account holders.
Najib Mikati’s plan then collapsed, causing the preliminary agreement with the IMF to fall through. Jaber explicitly stated, “When this issue was raised in 2020 under Hassan Diab’s government and later under Najib Mikati’s government, I was among the first to oppose it and warn against the disastrous consequences of such an approach.”The meeting held today at the Ministry of Finance marked the conclusion of the IMF mission’s visit to Lebanon, led by Ernesto Ramirez Rigo. The mission presented its assessment of the situation after discussions with Lebanon’s three top officials, relevant ministers, and specialized experts and directors from the Ministry of Finance. Unexpectedly, the scheduled meeting between the Association of Banks and the IMF mission was postponed at the IMF’s request for technical reasons. The Association had already prepared responses to questions previously sent by the IMF mission, which were to be discussed during the meeting. Alongside Minister Jaber, the meeting at the Ministry of Finance was attended by Economy Minister Amer Bisat, interim BDL Governor Wassim Mansouri, several officials and advisors, as well as the IMF representative in Lebanon, Frederico Lima, and the IMF’s technical team. According to Ministry of Finance sources, the top priorities are creating a deposit restitution plan, restructuring the banking sector, and adopting a comprehensive reform program, which includes enacting necessary legislation, particularly amendments to the banking secrecy law.
The IMF mission emphasized the importance of adopting a law on banking restructuring, revising the banking secrecy law, and making necessary appointments within regulatory bodies. It granted Lebanon some time to finalize a detailed study to better assess the extent of the financial gap and distribute losses accordingly.Another key IMF priority is appointing a new BDL governor based on clearly defined criteria. If such an appointment takes place, a new IMF mission could visit Lebanon soon. Otherwise, discussions may be postponed to the IMF and World Bank’s Spring Meetings, scheduled for April in Washington. In the coming weeks, the Lebanese government is expected to announce the composition of its official negotiating team, which will include the future BDL governor. The aim is to reach a new staff-level agreement with the IMF and establish a full-fledged program before the summer, provided discussions progress in the right direction.

W. Joumblatt Bans Certain PSP Members from Sunday's Commemorative Ceremony
This is Beirut/March 13/2025
Former PSP chief and Druze leader Walid Joumblatt denounced on Thursday members of his own party who went on a spree of firing in the air in the predominantly Druze city of Aley to celebrate the arrest of the alleged killer of Kamal Joumblatt, Walid's father, days ahead of the 48th anniversary of his assassination. An angry Joumblatt requested the unruly PSP members to stay away from the event marking the anniversary in Moukhtara on Sunday, March 16.

Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta Visits Lebanon
This is Beirut/March 13/2025
The Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, commenced a three-day visit to Lebanon today, reaffirming the Order’s longstanding commitment and support to the Lebanese people during the country’s critical recovery phase.This high-level diplomatic mission underscores 70 years of continuous involvement by the Order of Malta in Lebanon, primarily in the health, social welfare and agriculture sectors, embodying Lebanon’s exemplary spirit of coexistence and resilience.
On the first day of his visit, the Grand Chancellor engaged in a series of key meetings. He met with Lebanon’s President Joseph Khalil Aoun, with the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Rajji, then met Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Discussions emphasized strengthening the existing cooperation agreement between Lebanon and the Sovereign Order of Malta, aiming to diversify and expand collaborative humanitarian and healthcare initiatives. The Lebanese institutions expressed appreciation for the Order of Malta’s work in support of the Lebanese people.The Grand Chancellor was accompanied during his visits by Ambassadors Giampaolo Cantini and Maria Emerica Cortese as well as Marwan Sehnaoui, President of the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (Order of Malta Lebanon), and François Abi Saab, Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Lebanon. The Grand Chancellor warmly congratulated President Aoun on his election and Prime Minister Salam on his recent appointment. He expressed the Order’s best wishes for all possible success in the accomplishment of their high mandate, welcoming the new phase in domestic politics and ongoing stabilization efforts. "The international community and the major regional actors should fully support a process of stabilization and reconstruction,” the Grand Chancellor stated. He added, “The Sovereign Order of Malta will not spare its efforts to participate in such international support to Lebanon. Our historical ties to this region run deep-rooted in Jerusalem almost one thousand years ago — and our commitment to serving its people continues unwaveringly.”Throughout his visit, the Grand Chancellor will tour key humanitarian and development projects managed by the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta, highlighting the Order’s deep commitment and active collaboration with local and international partners in serving Lebanon’s most vulnerable communities.

It Feels Like the South... but Now, It's the North!
Marc Saikali/This is Beirut/March 13/2025
Suddenly, all eyes and fears turned to Tripoli and Akkar. At least 7,000 Syrian refugees, mostly Alawites, have crossed the border to escape the violent clashes unfolding along Syria’s coastline. These confrontations, marked by extreme brutality and condemned by numerous human rights organizations, have sent shockwaves through the international community, alarmed by the rising civilian toll. Disturbing images shared on social media show scruffy militiamen—Afghans, Chechens or Uzbeks—just a stone's throw from the border. The thought of these fighters being a mere hundred kilometers from Beirut, and 40 kilometers from Tripoli, is enough to unsettle even the most optimistic people. What if they decided to cross the Orontes? Can the central power in Damascus control these hardcore Islamists, who have already proven their savagery? The answer remains highly uncertain.
Naturally, everyone is once again relying on the Lebanese Army. The military has been heavily deployed in the northern capital. However, the army is ill-equipped to handle the immense pressure it faces, as it is already overstretched in the south, dealing with the deep wounds left by the “victorious” support war for Gaza. Yet, there is no alternative to prevent chaos. With the influx of refugees, old demons have resurfaced. The neighborhoods of Bab al-Tebbaneh and Jabal Mohsen, which waged war against each other for years, are once again the epicenter of tension. Beyond them, the entire region holds its breath. Paradoxically, the multi-confessional Syria touted by the new Damascus regime is being forged in Lebanon, not Syria. The 2.5 million displaced Syrians—mostly Sunni and theoretically anti-Assad—are now joined by thousands of pro-Assad Alawites. But of course, the situation is far more complex. We remember the images of dozens of “refugee” vehicles speeding through the streets of Beirut, proudly displaying portraits of Bashar al-Assad, the very man from whom they were supposed to have fled, during the “democratic” elections. Pro, anti or “economic” migrants, Syrians in Lebanon are in no rush to return to their homeland. Generous European NGOs continue to assist populations stranded in Lebanon, funded by the taxpayers of the European Union. The last thing Europe wants is for 2.5 million Syrians to consider seeking refuge on more attractive Mediterranean shores. And for the 27 EU countries, this is certainly not the time to take on such a burden. Abandoned and sidelined by the Americans, who have fully taken charge of ending the war in Ukraine, European nations are now desperately searching for a new “umbrella” of defense to shield themselves from a looming Russian threat. In this conflict, Europeans are neither at the negotiating table nor hosting the talks, which are being held in… Saudi Arabia. The message to the Old Continent is clear: it no longer deals with the world’s affairs. Thus, it is evident that Syria and Lebanon are, for the time being, the least of Europe’s concerns.
Ah, and I almost forgot: the Christians of Syria. At the start of the 20th century, they made up a quarter of the country's population. Now, they either die, hide or silently exile themselves, forgotten by the world for the last 50 years. The Syria of Saint Paul must now turn to Saint Anthony of Padua to reclaim the keys to its lost paradise.

Behind the ScenesKulluna Irada: A Law-Breaking Association – Should Its License Be Revoked?
This is Beirut/March 13/2025
Kulluna Irada is an organization that claims to uphold the law, pursue corrupt individuals, and fight corruption in the name of good governance and reform. However, in practice, the activities of Kulluna Irada violate both the law and the objectives for which the organization was granted official recognition by the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities in October 2021. According to the official notice signed by former Minister of Interior and Municipalities Bassam Mawlawi on October 12, 2021, the objectives and tasks of the aforementioned organization are as follows:
Striving to enhance and develop social, environmental, cultural, agricultural, artisanal, and industrial affairs, along with all related sectors. Assisting municipalities and local institutions in areas related to energy, water, tourism, and modern transportation. Conducting studies in various development-related fields, including commercial, financial, economic, legal, and more. Striving to unlock human potential and enhance technical capabilities to foster individual development while improving the surrounding environment. The goal is to advance Lebanese society across all regions and villages, paving the way for a future built on stability, prosperity, and progress. Working to establish cooperation and partnerships with institutions, associations, and other civil society organizations whose activities align with these objectives, particularly in charitable work and social initiatives.
The official notice, published in the Official Gazette on October 28, 2021, clearly defines Kulluna Irada's scope as limited to social, cultural, developmental, and agricultural activities. However, in practice, Kulluna Irada has evolved into a political funding platform that supports candidates, forms electoral lists, and engages in elections. It has also sought to elevate individuals to positions of power and secure financial backing for political groups. The organization acknowledges this political shift in its financial report for the 2022 elections: "Kulluna Irada (KI) saw the 2022 parliamentary elections as a key milestone in Lebanon’s long-term path to political change. The wave of change sparked by the 2019 uprising generated significant momentum for emerging political actors, making the elections a crucial opportunity to strengthen the opposition from within state institutions. Given the nature of the electoral system and the imbalance in access and influence between traditional parties and emerging forces, efforts were necessary to help establish a level playing field in electoral campaigns."
Kulluna Irada further elaborates in its report:
“In line with its mission to promote political reform, Kulluna Irada made a strategic decision to support pro-reform groups in their fight for representation, with the aim of creating a new progressive force within Parliament. Accordingly, its efforts centered on three main tracks."Establishing and strengthening communication channels between emerging political groups and the Lebanese diaspora. Contributing to the development of a progressive political discourse based on citizen-centered policies and full state sovereignty. Building electoral capabilities by focusing on media, communication, and logistical readiness. Despite its official recognition as a development-focused organization, Kulluna Irada has operated within the political sphere for years. It has effectively transformed into a quasi-political, economic, and financial entity, intervening in financial and economic policies through groups it trains and funds. These groups work to influence platforms and various media and advertising outlets, using millions of dollars that flow into its accounts but are not reflected in its official budgets or financial reports. This raises serious questions about the organization’s handling of these funds, their sources, and their expenditure. Kulluna Irada has transitioned from an organization—required to have an administrative body—into a profit-oriented entity. It now operates with a "board of directors" consisting of 15 members, in clear violation of Lebanese law, which invites legal penalties.

Diplomatic Uncertainties and Reconstruction: Lebanon’s Challenges Amid International Expectations
Tylia El Helou/his is Beirut/March 13/2025
A recent interview with Morgan Ortagus, deputy to the U.S. president’s special envoy for the Middle East, highlighted significant discrepancies between official announcements and the on-the-ground reality in Lebanon. While the U.S. administration claims to have initiated diplomatic working groups to address the Lebanese-Israeli border issue, the Lebanese government asserts that it has not been officially informed.
A Diplomatic Dialogue Out of Sync
On Tuesday, Morgan Ortagus stated that an agreement had been reached to establish diplomatic 3 working groups tasked with resolving border disputes between Lebanon and Israel, particularly the delineation of the Blue Line. However, a source close to the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs told This is Beirut that they learned of this news through the media, highlighting a significant disconnect between international communications and the perception of local authorities.
Rebuilding the South: A Major Challenge
Regarding the reconstruction of South Lebanon, Morgan Ortagus emphasized the need for exclusive involvement of the Lebanese state, explicitly ruling out Hezbollah’s participation. While the Lebanese government expresses its willingness to take on this responsibility, it acknowledges that this requirement complicates project implementation due to a lack of resources. "We are awaiting financial assistance from the international community, particularly from the Gulf, as well as the completion of damage assessments caused by the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel before formulating a reconstruction plan. It will take weeks, if not months, to establish a full report, especially as hostilities continue in the South," an expert explained anonymously. "No foreign state has yet had the time to provide us with financial aid at this stage," they added. Asked about Hezbollah’s exclusion from the process, they responded with irony: "In any case, Hezbollah has no money."
The Disarmament of Hezbollah: Still a Theoretical Debate
Another key point in Morgan Ortagus' statements was the disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani River. While Nawaf Salam’s government appears theoretically supportive of this principle, no concrete measures have been taken so far. "The Lebanese army is fulfilling its mission and deploying along the Lebanese-Israeli border, but some international observers remain skeptical. They believe that many Hezbollah weapons depots still exist in the area," a government source noted. "We explain to them that army operations take time due to insufficient resources," they added.
Given the U.S. policy of maximum pressure on Iran and Hezbollah, the same source believes that Lebanon could face increased international sanctions if it fails to meet American demands. Caught between international pressures, economic hardships, and security imperatives, Lebanon finds itself at a critical juncture. The gap between official statements and local realities underscores an urgent need for coordination among the various stakeholders. The country must quickly clarify its positions and structure its actions to avoid increasing isolation on the international stage.

The Latest English LCCC Miscellaneous Reports And News published on March 13-14/2025
Emirati diplomat with letter from Trump meets with Iran's FM
Associated Press/March 13, 2025
An Emirati diplomat earlier identified by Tehran as carrying a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump seeking to jump-start talks over Iran's rapidly advancing nuclear program met Wednesday with Iran's foreign minister in the Iranian capital. It is unclear how Iran will react to the letter, which Trump revealed during a television interview last week. Its intended recipient, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has said he's not interested in talks with a "bullying government."But Iran struggles with economic woes exacerbated by U.S. and Western sanctions over its nuclear program, and Trump has imposed more since he took office in January. That pressure, coupled with internal turmoil in Iran and recent direct attacks by Israel, has put Tehran in one of the most precarious positions its theocracy has faced since its 1979 Islamic Revolution. "America threatens with military action, but in my opinion, this threat is irrational," Khamenei said earlier Wednesday. "Iran is capable of delivering a reciprocal blow, and it will certainly do so."
A sudden visit by an Emirati diplomat
Iranian state television showed Emirati official Anwar Gargash meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran. Gargash's visit had not been previously announced. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman earlier said he'd be carrying the letter from Trump. The UAE, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, maintains close ties with the United States. The brief footage shot before the meeting did not show the letter. Gargash and the UAE government did not acknowledge his trip during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan and did not respond to a request for comment.
Trump last week acknowledged writing a letter to the 85-year-old Khamenei. "I've written them a letter saying, 'I hope you're going to negotiate because if we have to go in militarily, it's going to be a terrible thing,'" Trump said in the interview. Trump has offered no details on what, if anything, was specifically offered to Iran in the letter. The move recalled Trump's letter-writing to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in his first term, which led to face-to-face meetings but no deals to limit Pyongyang's atomic bombs and a missile program capable of reaching the continental U.S. The last time Trump tried to send a letter to Khamenei, through the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2019, the supreme leader mocked the effort. Abe ended up slipping the envelope under his leg in footage widely shared by Iranian state media to this day. On Wednesday before Gargash's arrival, Khamenei spoke to students during a ceremony in Tehran and called Trump's letter "an attempt to deceive global public opinion." "This person tore apart and threw out of the window finished and completed, and signed, talks," Khamenei said. "How could one possibly negotiate with such a person?"He added: "If we wanted to build a nuclear weapon, America couldn't stop us." Iran's uranium is now close to weapons-grade. Trump's overture comes as Israel and the United States have warned they will never let Iran acquire a nuclear weapon, leading to fears of a military confrontation as Tehran enriches uranium at near weapons-grade levels of 60% purity — something only done by atomic-armed nations.
Iran has long maintained its program is for peaceful purposes, even as its officials increasingly threaten to pursue the bomb as tensions are high with the U.S. over its sanctions and with Israel as a shaky ceasefire holds in its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.Israel and Iran have traded direct attacks during the Israel-Hamas war, while partners in Tehran's self-described "Axis of Resistance" are reeling after the assassinations of their leaders by Israel. In Israel, officials have suggested striking Iran's nuclear program now, something Trump has threatened while insisting he'd prefer reaching a diplomatic deal with Tehran. Since Trump returned to the White House, his administration has said Iran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons. A report last month by the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said Iran has accelerated its production of near weapons-grade uranium. Trump's first term in office was marked by a particularly troubled period in relations with Tehran. In 2018, he unilaterally withdrew the United States from Iran's nuclear deal with world powers, leading to sanctions hobbling Iran's economy. Iran retaliated with attacks at sea — including one that it likely carried out and that temporarily halved Saudi Arabia's oil production. Trump also ordered the attack that killed Iran's top general in a Baghdad drone strike in January 2020. It is unclear how Iran will handle further pressure. The Islamic Republic's currency, the rial, has dramatically fallen in value. Unemployment and underemployment are rampant. Meanwhile, women have continued their defiance of laws on the mandatory headscarf, or hijab, and go without the head covering, two years after the death of a detained young woman, Mahsa Amini, sparked nationwide protests.

US imposes sanctions on Iranian oil minister, shadow fleet
Doina Chiacu and Timothy Gardner/Reuters/March 13, 2025
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States imposed sanctions on Thursday on Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad and some Hong Kong-flagged vessels that are part of a shadow fleet that helps disguise Iranian oil shipments, the Treasury Department said. President Donald Trump re-imposed a "maximum pressure" policy on Iran in February that includes efforts to drive its oil exports to zero in order to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and funding militant groups. Paknejad "oversees the export of tens of billions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil and has allocated billions of dollars’ worth of oil to Iran’s armed forces for export," Treasury said in a statement. “The Iranian regime continues to use the proceeds from the nation’s vast oil resources to advance its narrow, alarming self-interests at the expense of the Iranian people,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. “Treasury will fight and disrupt any attempts by the regime to fund its destabilizing activities and further its dangerous agenda.”Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Treasury also designated owners or operators of vessels that have delivered Iranian oil to China or lifted it from storage there, it said. Those were in multiple jurisdictions, including India and China, it said. Iran's military relies on a vast shadow fleet of ships to disguise shipments of oil worth billions of dollars to China. Thursday's designated vessels include the Hong Kong-flagged Peace Hill and its owner Hong Kong Heshun Transportation Trading Limited, the Iran-flagged Polaris 1, the Seychelles-registered Fallon Shipping Company Ltd, and the Liberia-registered Itaugua Services Inc, Treasury said. It also designated the Panama-flagged Corona Fun, which it said has manipulated automatic identification systems to disguise efforts to ship Iranian oil, and the San Marino-flagged Seasky, for transporting fuel oil on behalf of Iran's national oil company to China. The sanctions block U.S. assets of the designated entities and prohibit Americans from engaging in any transactions with them. The U.S. Department of State is designating three entities and three vessels as blocked property, it said.

U.S. officials act to block illicit Iranian oil trade with China
Mike Heuer/March 13 (UPI)/March 13, 2025
Iran is operating a ghost fleet to sell oil to China in violation of existing sanctions, which U.S. officials seek to stop with the help of new sanctions. The Department of State and Department of Treasury on Thursday announced sanctions against China, India and an Iranian minister and identified three vessels that now are blocked to stop the illegal flow of oil from Iran to Asia. "The Iranian regime continues to use the proceeds from the nation's vast oil resources to advance its narrow, alarming self-interests at the expense of the Iranian people," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday in a press release. "Treasury will fight and disrupt any attempts by the regime to fund its destabilizing activities and further its dangerous agenda," Bessent said. Bessent announced sanctions against China, India and Iran's Minister of Petroleum Mohsen Paknejad, who Bessent says oversees the export of tens of billions of dollars worth of Iranian oil and allocated billions of dollars worth of oil to Iran's military forces for eventual export. China and India also are sanctioned due to their ownership and operations of vessels that deliver the illicit Iranian oil to Chinese ports or lifted oil from storage facilities in Dalian, China. The sanctions are intended to halt the flow of oil from Iran to China and reduce funding for the Iranian military, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iranian Law Enforcement Forces that oppress the Iranian people, Bessent said. Iran allocates 200,000 barrels of crude oil to its armed forces every day to supplement their budget, according to the Treasury Department. The funds from the illicit trade of Iranian oil also support the activities of the designated foreign terrorists organizations of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. "The Iranian regime continues to fuel conflict in the Middle East, advance its nuclear program and support its terrorists proxies," the U.S. Department of State says in a fact sheet published Thursday. "Iran's illicit oil trade fuels these destabilizing activities," the fact sheet says. Iran uses a network of shipping providers in several global jurisdictions that use ghost ships, deception and obfuscation to load and transport Iranian oil for eventual sale in China and other Asian nations, according to the State Department. Iranian entities involved include the nation's Ministry of Petroleum, National Iranian Oil Company and National Iranian Tanker Company, which rely on ship-to-ship transfers of oil to third-country service providers to transport Iranian oil to Asian markets, State Department officials say. "These [ship-to-ship] transfers, frequently conducted while one or more vessels have disabled or manipulated their automatic identification system, also serve to disguise the Iranian origin of the cargo," the State Department fact sheet states. The ship-to-ship transfers occur outside of ports in Southeast Asia, which enables Iran to hide its illicit oil trade, according to the State Department. Officials for the State and Treasury departments sanctioned Iran's Minister of Petroleum Mohsen Paknejad and several shipping entities that are enabling Iran's illicit oil trade. The three sanctioned shipping entities are Bintang Samudra Utama, which is headquartered in Central Jakarta, Indonesia; Shipload Maritime Pte Limited, which is based in Singapore; and Gianira Adhinusa Senatama, which is based in Batam, Riau Islands, Indonesia. The three vessels identified as blocked are the Celebes, Malili and Marina Vision, which enable the crude oil tankers Star Forest, which is registered in Hong Kong, and the Iranian-flagged Sobar to transfer Iranian oil for delivery to China. Thursday's actions by the Treasury and State departments are in line with other sanctions announced on Feb. 24 to curtail the illicit sale of Iranian oil to China and to cut off funding for Iran's terror proxies.

What to know about tensions between Iran and the US as Trump sends a letter to its supreme leader
Jon Gambrell/The Associated Press/March 13, 2025
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A letter U.S. President Donald Trump wrote to Iran's supreme leader in an attempt to jump-start talks over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program has arrived in the Iranian capital.
While the text of the letter hasn't been published, its arrival comes as Trump has levied new sanctions on Iran as part of his “maximum pressure” campaign targeting the country. He also suggested military action against Iran remained a possibility, while emphasizing he still believed a new deal could be reached. Iran's 85-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has mocked Trump, but officials in his country also have offered conflicting signals over whether negotiations could take place. Here's what to know about the letter, Iran's nuclear program and the overall tensions that have stalked relations between Tehran and Washington since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Why did Trump write the letter?
Trump dispatched the letter to Khamenei on March 5, then gave a television interview the next day in which he acknowledged sending it. He said: “I’ve written them a letter saying, ‘I hope you’re going to negotiate because if we have to go in militarily, it’s going to be a terrible thing.’” Since returning to the White House, the president has been pushing for talks while simultaneously ratcheting up sanctions and suggesting a military strike by Israel or the U.S. could target Iranian nuclear sites. A previous letter Trump the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dispatched during his first term drew an angry retort from the supreme leader. But Trump’s letters to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in his first term led to face-to-face meetings, though no deals to limit Pyongyang’s atomic bombs and a missile program capable of reaching the continental U.S.
How has Iran reacted?
Iran has offered a series of seemingly contradictory responses. Khamenei himself said he wasn't interested in talks with a “bullying government.”But Iranian diplomats including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier suggested that talks over guarantees that Tehran wouldn't seek a nuclear weapon could be possible. Araghchi, who took part in negotiations for Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal, later toughened his tone and said talks couldn't happen under U.S. pressure, following Khamenei's lead. However, Araghchi still met with the Emirati diplomat carrying Trump's letter.
Why does Iran's nuclear program worry the West?
Iran has insisted for decades that its nuclear program is peaceful. However, its officials increasingly threaten to pursue a nuclear weapon. Iran now enriches uranium to near weapons-grade levels of 60%, the only country in the world without a nuclear weapons program to do so. Under the original 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was allowed to enrich uranium only up to 3.67% purity and to maintain a uranium stockpile of 300 kilograms (661 pounds). The last report by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran’s program put its stockpile at 8,294.4 kilograms (18,286 pounds) as it enriches a fraction of it to 60% purity. U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to begin a weapons program, but has “undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so.”
Why are relations so bad between Iran and the U.S.?
Iran was once one of the U.S.'s top allies in the Mideast under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who purchased American military weapons and allowed CIA technicians to run secret listening posts monitoring the neighboring Soviet Union. The CIA had fomented a 1953 coup that cemented the shah's rule. But in January 1979, the shah, fatally ill with cancer, fled Iran as mass demonstrations swelled against his rule. The Islamic Revolution followed, led by Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and created Iran's theocratic government. Later that year, university students overran the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, seeking the shah's extradition and sparking the 444-day hostage crisis that saw diplomatic relations between Iran and the U.S. severed. The Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s saw the U.S. back Saddam Hussein. The “Tanker War” during that conflict saw the U.S. launch a one-day assault that crippled Iran at sea, while the U.S. later shot down an Iranian commercial airliner. Iran and the U.S. have see-sawed between enmity and grudging diplomacy in the years since, with relations peaking when Tehran made a 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. But Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord, sparking years of tensions in the Mideast that persist today.

One killed in Israel strike on Damascus building
Associated Press/March 13, 2025
Israel's military carried out an airstrike Thursday on a residential building on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus that it said was a command center of the militant group Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The military alleged that the command center has been used to direct attacks against Israel and vowed to "respond forcefully" to the presence of Palestinian militant groups inside Syria. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, said the building targeted is located in the suburb of Dummar, northwest of the capital. It said one person was killed. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned in a statement that "whenever terrorist activity is organized against Israel," Syria’s new President Ahmad al-Sharaa "will find air force planes circling above him and attacking terrorist targets."- Targeted building was home of 'militant group leader' -A Palestinian Islamic Jihad member at the scene of the airstrike in Syria told The Associated Press that the apartment that was targeted was the home of the group’s leader Ziad Nakhaleh. Ismail Sindak said the apartment had been empty for years, adding that Nakhaleh is not in Syria. Asked whether anyone was killed in the strike, Sindak said "the house was empty."It was not immediately clear where Nakhaleh is but he is believed to spend his time between Lebanon, Iran and Syria.Syria’s state news agency said an Israeli airstrike has struck a residential building on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus.The agency did not give further details about Thursday’s airstrike.

Syrian leader signs constitutional declaration, hailing ‘new history’
AP/March 13, 2025
DAMASCUS: Syria’s interim president on Thursday signed a temporary constitution that leaves the country under Islamist rule for five years during a transitional phase. The country’s interim rulers have struggled to exert their authority across much of the country since the Islamist former insurgent group, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, or HTS, led a lightning insurgency that overthrew former leader Bashar Assad in December. Former HTS leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa is now the country’s interim president — a decision that was announced after a meeting of the armed groups that took part in the offensive against Assad. At the same meeting, the groups agreed to repeal the country’s old constitution and said a new one would be drafted. While many were happy to see an end to the Assad family’s dictatorial rule of over 50 years in the war-torn country, religious and ethnic minorities have been skeptical of the new Islamist leaders and reluctant to allow Damascus under its new authorities to assert control of their areas. Abdulhamid Al-Awak, one of the seven members of the committee Al-Sharaa tasked to draft the temporary constitution, told a press conference Thursday that it will maintain some previsions from the previous one, including the stipulation that the head of state has to be a Muslim, and Islamic law is the main source of jurisprudence. However, Al-Awak, a constitutional law expert who teaches at the Mardin Artuklu University in Turkiye, also said the temporary constitution includes provisions that enshrine freedom of expression and the press. The constitution will “balance between social security and freedom” during Syria’s shaky political situation, he said. A new committee to draft a permanent constitution will be formed, but it is unclear if it will be more inclusive of Syria’s political, religious, and ethnic groups.
Al-Sharaa on Monday reached a landmark pact with the US-backed Kurdish-led authorities in northeastern Syria, including a ceasefire and a merging of their armed forces with the central government’s security agencies.
The deal came after government forces and allied groups crushed an insurgency launched last week by gunmen loyal to Assad. Rights groups say that hundreds of civilians — mostly from the Alawite minority sect to which Assad belongs — were killed in retaliatory attacks by factions in the counter-offensive. A key goal of the interim constitution was to give a timeline for the country’s political transition out of its interim phase. In December, Al-Sharaa said it could take up to three years to rewrite Syria’s constitution and up to five years to organize and hold elections. Al-Sharaa appointed a committee to draft the new constitution after Syria held a national dialogue conference last month, which called for announcing a temporary constitution and holding interim parliamentary elections. Critics said the hastily-organized conference was not inclusive of Syria’s different ethnic and sectarian groups or civil society. The United States and Europe have been hesitant to lift harsh sanctions imposed on Syria during Assad’s rule until they are convinced that the new leaders will create an inclusive political system and protect minorities. Al-Sharaa and regional governments have been urging them to reconsider, fearing that the country’s crumbling economy could bring further instability.

Israeli Druze prepare for first visit by Syrian Druze in decades
Ali Sawafta and Mustafa Abu Ganeyeh/Reuters/March 13, 2025
JULIS, Israel (Reuters) - The head of the Druze community in Israel on Thursday hailed plans for the first visit by a Druze religious delegation from Syria in five decades, despite escalating cross-border tensions underscored by an Israeli airstrike on Damascus. The Druze, an Arab minority who practise a religion originally derived from Islam, live in Lebanon, Syria, Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, occupying a distinctive position in the region's mosaic of faiths and cultures. Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif said the visit by around 100 Syrian Druze religious elders on Friday would be the first to Israel in some 50 years, when a group came in the immediate aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur war between Israel, Syria and Egypt. "All the Druze sect considers tomorrow an historic, festive day after a decades-long absence," he told Reuters at his home in Julis in northern Israel. The religious elders, mostly from a string of Druze villages on the slope of Mount Hermon in Syria, are expected to visit shrines including sites held to be the tomb of prophet Shuayb, west of Tiberias, in the Lower Galilee. Friday's visit, which has not been officially confirmed, offers a further sign of Israel's efforts to show its support for Syria's Druze minority even as its suspicion of the new Islamist government in Damascus becomes increasingly evident. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said this week that Druze workers from Syria would be allowed into Israel, in a move that would offer a limited opening in the border for the first time since before the Syrian civil war. Israel has also sent humanitarian aid to Druze communities in Syria.
TENSIONS WITH DAMASCUS
Underlining the tensions with Damascus, Israeli jets struck targets in the Syrian capital on Thursday that the Israeli military described as a command centre for the Iran-backed Islamic Jihad movement. Israeli ministers have expressed deep mistrust of the new Syrian government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, describing his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham movement as a jihadist group. The group was formerly affiliated with Al Qaeda but later renounced any link. Israel has moved troops into a number of positions in Syrian territory and warned that it would not accept Syrian troops south of Damascus. Following increased sectarian violence in Syria, Israel has even said it would be willing to defend the Druze communities in that country if they were attacked. However Tarif said he did not believe it would be necessary for Israel to intervene to defend the Druze in Syria. "The members of the Druze sect in Syria are Syrians and they are proud and I do not believe there is any need for protection," he said. Tarif said he hoped the new Syrian government would bring in minorities including Druze, Christians, Kurds, Bedouins, Yazidis and Alawites, "so that Syria will be for all its people and inhabitants".
"This is what we hope and wish for, we pray to God daily to achieve peace and to see the signs of peace over Lebanon, Syria, Israel, the whole region and the whole world," he said.

On 14th anniversary of Syrian civil war, UN chief warns nation’s future hangs in the balance
Ephrem Kossaify/Arab News/March 13, 2025
NEW YORK CITY: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called for urgent action to secure the future of Syria, as the country marks the 14th anniversary of the start of its devastating civil war. He condemned the immense human suffering caused by the conflict, which included the use of chemical weapons, barrel bombings, and prolonged sieges that turned food and medicine into weapons of war. The civil war, which began in mid-March 2011, became one of the most devastating conflicts in modern history, as peaceful protests against the regime of President Bashar Assad quickly escalated into a brutal war involving multiple factions and foreign powers. More than 500,000 people were killed, and over 13 million Syrians were displaced, about 6.7 million of whom sought refuge in neighboring countries and beyond. The war caused widespread destruction, leaving cities in ruins, and severe humanitarian crises, including shortages of food, water and medical care. “The Syrian people have endured unimaginable hardship,” Guterres said, highlighting in particular the indiscriminate killing of civilians and the destruction of hospitals, schools and homes. Despite the devastation, he added, the calls of the Syrian people for freedom and dignity have remained “steadfast.”On Dec. 8 last year the Assad regime collapsed in the face of a major offensive by opposition forces, spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham. Since then, there has been a glimmer of hope for rebuilding and reconciliation, said Guterres. However, he warned that “this much-deserved brighter future hangs in the balance.” All violence must end, he said, and he called for a credible, independent investigation into ongoing civilian deaths. Entire families have been killed in the country’s coastal region in a recent series of sectarian attacks among rival groups, according to the UN. The violence broke out last Thursday when armed groups loyal to the ousted former president, Bashar Assad, ambushed security forces in the province of Latakia, killing at least 16 of them, the Syrian Ministry of Defense said. “The caretaker authorities have repeatedly committed to building a new Syria, based on inclusive and credible foundations for all Syrians,” said Guterres. “Now is the time for action. Bold and decisive measures are urgently needed to ensure that every Syrian — regardless of ethnicity, religion, political affiliation or gender — can live in safety, dignity and without fear.”He also reaffirmed the readiness of the UN “to work alongside the Syrian people and support an inclusive political transition that ensures accountability, fosters national healing, and lays the foundation for Syria’s long-term recovery and reintegration into the international community.”Guterres added: “Together, we must ensure that Syria emerges from the shadows of war into a future defined by dignity and the rule of law, where all voices are heard, and no community is left behind.”He urged the international community to stand with the Syrian people as they work to achieve this more peaceful and inclusive future.

Syria flashes signs of peril and promise in a week of violence and diplomacy
Abby Sewell/The Associated Press/March 13, 2025
BEIRUT (AP) — After Syria’s longtime autocratic ruler was toppled late last year, the man who led rebel groups to victory immediately faced a new challenge: unifying the country after more than a decade of civil war. The peril and promise of Syria under interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa — the former leader of an Islamist insurgent group — were on dramatic display over the past week. After days of deadly sectarian violence, a diplomatic triumph united a powerful force in the country’s northeast with the new national army. By Tuesday, it seemed as if Syria had made major steps toward quelling the tensions that erupted over the weekend. But analysts say the country still has a long way to go, and that the risks of sliding back into civil war, or partitioning the country along ethnic and sectarian lines, remain. The “path to rebuilding trust” will require Syria's new leaders to do more to “protect lives and foster a sense of unity among all communities,” said Ammar Kahf, executive director of Omran Center for Strategic Studies in Istanbul. Building a stable, pluralistic society is also key to convincing Western countries to lift crushing economic sanctions that were placed on Syria during the brutal rule of former President Bashar Assad.
A week of political whiplash
Beginning last Thursday, clashes between government security forces and armed groups loyal to Assad spiraled into sectarian revenge attacks that killed hundreds of civilians, most of them Alawites, a minority sect to which Assad belongs.
Government reinforcements eventually restored order, and calm appeared to hold by late Monday. That same day, al-Sharaa had signed a landmark pact under which Kurdish-led forces in the country’s northeast would be merged with the new national army. The deal marked a major step toward unifying the disparate factions that had carved up Syria into de facto mini-states during its civil war. The civil war began in 2011 after the Assad government's brutal crackdown on massive anti-government protests.
Not a professional army
Most of the armed factions that fought to unseat Assad announced in January that they would join the national army. In practice, though, they have maintained their own leadership. “This is not a professional army,” said Issam al-Reis, a military adviser with Etana, a Syrian research group. “In theory, there are plans to join the factions into an army and merge everybody together under the Ministry of Defense. But so far, in reality, on the ground, everybody is still under his own umbrella.”On the other side, there are thousands of former soldiers from the disbanded Assad-era army who are now unemployed and “very easy targets" for local or international actors interested in upsetting Syria's fragile stability, al-Reis said. The sectarian violence over the weekend was difficult to contain, analysts say, because the government had to turn to a patchwork of undisciplined factions — including armed civilians -- to combat pro-Assad militants who attacked security forces along the coast. Members of some of those factions launched bloody revenge attacks on Alawite civilians. The violence only reinforced the “significant challenge to the Syrian (government's) efforts to consolidate power,” said Kahf, of the Omran Center for Strategic Studies.
A landmark deal
Unexpectedly, the violence appears to have expedited the deal to bring the Kurdish-led armed group controlling most of northeastern Syria, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, under the umbrella of the national army. The agreement came about when it did because al-Sharaa “needed to achieve a diplomatic victory" after the weekend violence damaged his image, said Ahmed Aba Zeid, a Syrian researcher. At the same time, the SDF calculated it could “achieve greater gains if it gave Sharaa this gift at this time,” he said. Under the agreement, border crossings, airports and oil fields in the northeast will also be brought under the central government’s control by the end of the year. Many details still need to be ironed out — including who will manage prisons holding Islamic State fighters captured by SDF — but the agreement gives al-Sharaa a much-needed political boost. He appears to have eliminated "the two most significant threats of division in the country within days,” Aba Zeid said.
International players pushing for unification
The agreement between the SDF and the Syrian government came about with the blessing of two important international players: the United States, which has supported the SDF as a key ally in the fight against the Islamic State militant group; and Turkey, which backs Syria's new leaders. “This would not have happened if the Turks weren’t willing to let it happen,” according to a senior U.S. defense official who said Washington encouraged SDF to reach an agreement with Syria's leaders. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly. Although not written into the agreement, the official said Ankara had demanded assurances that the SDF would remove foreign fighters linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, a Kurdish separatist group that had waged a decades-long insurgency in Turkey before recently announcing a ceasefire. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech Tuesday, “The full implementation of the agreement reached yesterday will serve the security and peace of Syria.” Still, the new Syrian government faces an array of challenges. Since the fall of Assad, Israel has seized pockets of territory in southern Syria, saying that it is moving to protect its borders. With sanctions by the U.S. and its allies still in place, the country will struggle to make significant investments in its economy and rebuild areas destroyed during the civil war. Alawites and other minorities that were already skeptical of the Islamist-led authorities in Damascus are more frightened — and hostile — than they were a week ago, despite promises by the country's new leaders that those who attacked civilians will be held accountable.Al-Reis said that reassuring them will require the government to take “very strong measures” against the perpetrators.

Turkey says forces killed 24 Kurdish militants in Syria, Iraq in a week
Reuters/March 13, 2025
Turkish forces killed 24 Kurdish militants in northern Iraq and Syria over the past week, the defence ministry said on Thursday, continuing attacks in the region after a disarmament call from the PKK leader and a separate accord between U.S.-backed Kurds and Damascus. Speaking at a briefing in Ankara, a defence ministry source said the deal between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Damascus did not change Turkey's commitment to counter-terrorism in Syria, and that it still demands that the YPG militia, which spearheads the SDF, disband and disarm. Turkey views the SDF, which controls much of northeast Syria, as a terrorist group linked with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group, which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. It has carried out several cross-border offensives against the group. The PKK's leader, jailed in Turkey, called for the group to disarm last month. The group is based in northern Iraq.

Israel sends humanitarian aid to Druze in Syria, foreign ministry says
Reuters/March 13, 2025
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel has sent humanitarian aid to Druze communities in Syria over the past few weeks, its foreign ministry said on Thursday, in a further sign of Israel's support for the minority group. "In an operation conducted over the past few weeks, 10,000 packages of humanitarian aid were thus far delivered to the Druze community in the battle areas of Syria," the foreign ministry said in a statement. The packages included basic goods like oil, flour, salt and sugar, and were mostly delivered to the southern province of Suwayda, the Foreign Ministry said. The Druze, an Arab minority present in Syria, Israel, the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Lebanon, practise a faith that originated in Islam but which has a distinct identity. In Israel, many Druze serve in the military, including in the war in Gaza, and some have reached senior ranks. Since the ouster of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, Israeli leaders have expressed deep mistrust of the new Syrian government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, describing his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) movement as a Jihadist group. HTS was affiliated with extremist group Al Qaeda but later renounced the connection.
Israel has called for the rights of Syrian minority groups including the Druze to be protected. This week, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Syrian Druze would be allowed to enter and work in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 war. A group of around 100 senior figures from Syria's Druze are also expected to visit the Golan Heights on Friday, members of the community said.

Egypt, Hamas, PLO hail Trump remarks on not 'expelling' Palestinians
Agence France Presse/March 13, 2025
Egypt, Hamas and the Palestine Liberation Organization welcomed on Thursday remarks from US President Donald Trump after he said "nobody's expelling any Palestinians" from the Gaza Strip. It was not immediately clear whether Trump's remarks signaled backtracking from his proposed plan to take over the Palestinian territory, displacing its population to neighboring countries. "Nobody's expelling any Palestinians," Trump said in the White House on Wednesday, dismissing a question from a reporter who asked whether plans to "expel Palestinians out of Gaza" were under discussion with visiting Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin. Egypt, which with the United States and Qatar is mediating truce talks between Hamas and Israel, "expressed its appreciation for U.S. President Donald Trump's statements ... regarding not demanding residents of the Gaza Strip to leave."In a foreign ministry statement, it called Trump's statement a "positive direction" that must be built on to advance efforts for peace. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem in turn applauded what he said was a "clear retreat" from the U.S. proposal for Gaza. "Trump's statements regarding not expelling Gaza's residents are welcome," he told AFP. Trump's proposal has been widely rejected, including by U.S. allies, and countered with an Arab plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority. "We appreciate the statements of the U.S. president in which he confirmed that the residents of the Gaza Strip are not required to leave their homeland," Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary general of the PLO, a Palestinian umbrella group of factions that excludes Hamas, wrote on X. The Egyptian-led plan was put forward by the Arab League and adopted by the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Israeli PM Netanyahu to visit Hungary soon, Orban aide says
Reuters/March 13, 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will pay an official visit to Hungary in the next few weeks, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's chief of staff said on Thursday, in defiance of an international arrest warrant for the Israeli leader. Orban invited Netanyahu to visit Hungary last November, saying he would guarantee that an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, issued a day earlier over Israel's alleged war crimes abuses in Gaza, would "not be observed". "According to current plans will arrive before Easter. Once the date of the visit is confirmed, we will, of course, announce it, taking into account the extremely important security considerations in this case," Gergely Gulyas told a news conference. Easter Sunday falls on April 20 this year. Several other European nations have said Netanyahu would be detained if he set foot on their soil. All European Union member states, including Hungary, are members of the ICC, which means they are required to enforce its warrants. Orban, a right-wing nationalist, has often been at odds with the EU over democratic standards and human rights in Hungary. The ICC issued arrest warrants on November 21, 2024 for Netanyahu and his former defence chief, as well as for Hamas leader Ibrahim Al-Masri, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza conflict. Hamas-led militants carried out a cross-border raid into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. The raid triggered an Israeli offensive into the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials. The fighting in Gaza has been paused since January 19 under the first phase of a truce. Hamas has exchanged 33 Israeli hostages and five Thais for some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

Russia says 9,000 Syrians fleeing violence have taken refuge at its Hmeimim air base
Reuters/March 13, 2025
Russia's air base at Hmeimim in Syria is sheltering about 9,000 people seeking refuge from a wave of sectarian violence, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday. Hmeimim is one of two military bases in Syria that Russia is hoping to retain despite the toppling of its ally, former president Bashar al-Assad, by Islamist rebels in December. "They were seeking refuge, simply understanding that it was a matter of life and death," Zakharova told reporters, adding that most of the civilians taking shelter there were women and children. The sectarian violence in Syria has pitted the new Islamist-led government's security forces against fighters from Assad's Alawite minority. Hundreds of Alawite civilians have been killed in what the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said were reprisals after attacks on the security forces. The fall of Assad, whom Moscow had backed for years in Syria's civil war, has dealt a heavy blow to its interests in the Middle East. Russia is trying to build relations with the new Syrian leadership under interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, and the future of the Hmeimim base and Tartous naval facility remains unclear. Zakharova said Russia was doing everything to secure the safety of its citizens and facilities in Syria, and was in active contact with Arab states, Turkey and Iran to try to ensure the long-term stabilisation of the country. Russia was shocked by the violence and hoped that the perpetrators would be punished, she said.

US negotiators to set out Ukraine truce plan to Russia
Agence France Presse/March 13, 2025
Top Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Thursday that any Ukraine peace settlement must secure Russia's "interests", and that President Vladimir Putin would probably give his opinion on a 30-day U.S. ceasefire proposal later. "That is what we are striving for. A peaceful settlement that takes into account the legitimate interests of our country," Ushakov said. "The President will probably make more specific and substantive assessments."Ushakov criticized a U.S.-Ukrainian proposal which he said was not conducive to long-term peace and would just be a "breather" for the Ukrainian military.
"It would be nothing more than a temporary breather for the Ukrainian military," Ushakov told state media after speaking by phone to U.S. national security advisor Mike Waltz. Ushakov said the joint U.S.-Ukrainian idea was a "hasty" step that "is not in favor of a long-term settlement." Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said the fact there was no "meaningful" response from Moscow to the ceasefire proposal meant the Kremlin wants to keep fighting in Ukraine. "Regrettably, for more than a day already, the world has yet to hear a meaningful response from Russia to the proposals made. This once again demonstrates that Russia seeks to prolong the war and postpone peace for as long as possible. We hope that US pressure will be sufficient to compel Russia to end the war," Zelensky said in a statement on social media. Meanwhile, Russia said it had taken full control of Sudzha, a town in the Kursk region that fell to Ukrainian forces shortly after their shock offensive last August. The Russian defense ministry said in a statement it had "liberated" Sudzha along with two other settlements in the border region. Russia also said it intercepted and destroyed 77 Ukrainian drones overnight. Thirty drones were downed over the western Bryansk region bordering Ukraine while 25 were downed over Kaluga, the Russian defense ministry said in a statement. More drones were intercepted over the regions of Kursk, Voronezh, Rostov and Belgorod.

Putin backs US ceasefire idea for Ukraine in principle, but says there’s a lot to clarify
Reuters/March 13, 2025
MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia supported a US proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine in principle, but that any truce would have to address the root causes of the conflict and that many crucial details needed to be sorted out. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has left hundreds of thousands of dead and injured, displaced millions of people, reduced towns to rubble and triggered the sharpest confrontation between Moscow and the West in decades. Putin’s heavily caveated support for the US ceasefire proposal looked designed to signal goodwill to Washington and to open the door to further talks with US President Donald Trump. Such talks could offer a real chance to end the biggest conflict in Europe since World War Two given Ukraine has already agreed to the proposal. “We agree with the proposals to cease hostilities,” Putin told reporters at a news conference in the Kremlin following talks with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. “The idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it.”“But we proceed from the fact that this cessation should be such that it would lead to long-term peace and would eliminate the original causes of this crisis.”He went on to list a slew of issues he said needed clarifying and thanked US President Donald Trump, who says he wants to be remembered as a peacemaker, for his efforts to end the war which both Moscow and Washington now cast as a deadly proxy war which could have escalated into World War Three. Trump, who said he was willing to talk to the Russian leader by phone, called Putin’s statement “very promising” but said it was not complete and that he hoped Moscow would “do the right thing.”Trump said Steve Witkoff, his special envoy, was engaged in serious talks with the Russians in Moscow around the US proposal. Ukraine is likely to see Putin’s stance as an attempt to buy time while Russian troops squeeze the last Ukrainian troops out of western Russia and Moscow sticks to demands that Kyiv regards as seeking its own capitulation. The West and Ukraine describe Russia’s 2022 invasion as an imperial-style land grab, and have repeatedly vowed to defeat Russian forces. Russian forces control nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory and have been edging forward since mid-2024. Putin portrays the conflict as part of an existential battle with a declining and decadent West which he says humiliated Russia after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 by enlarging the NATO military alliance and encroaching on what he considers Moscow’s sphere of influence, including Ukraine.
PUTIN AND TRUMP
European powers have been deeply concerned that Trump could be turning his back on Europe for some sort of grand bargain with Putin that could include China, oil prices, cooperation in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Putin said Russian forces were moving forward along the entire frontline and that the ceasefire would have to ensure that Ukraine did not seek to simply use it to regroup. “How can we and how will we be guaranteed that nothing like this will happen? How will control (of the ceasefire) be organized?” Putin said. “These are all serious questions.”“There are issues that we need to discuss. And I think we need to talk to our American colleagues as well.”Putin said he might call Trump to discuss the issue. The United States agreed on Tuesday to resume weapons supplies and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after Kyiv said at talks in Saudi Arabia that it was ready to support a ceasefire proposal. Russia over recent days has pressed a lightning offensive in the western Russian region of Kursk against Ukrainian forces which smashed through the border last August in a bid to divert forces from eastern Ukraine, gain a bargaining chip and embarrass Putin. Ukraine now has a sliver of less than 200 square km (77 square miles) in Kursk, down from 1,300 square km (500 square miles) at the peak of the incursion last summer, according to the Russian military. Putin on Wednesday donned a camouflage uniform — extremely rare for the former KGB officer — to visit a command post in the Kursk region.
‘WELCOME’
Beyond the immediate ceasefire idea, Russia has presented the US with a list of demands for a deal to end its war against Ukraine and reset relations with Washington, according to two people familiar with the matter. Asked about the Reuters report, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said Washington knew Russia’s position. Before Putin spoke, Ushakov said that the US ceasefire proposal offered Russia “nothing.”Putin said Russia would welcome back western companies if they wanted to return, though he also said that markets had been taken over by domestic producers and that Moscow would not be creating any special conditions for western companies. “To those (companies) who want to return, we say: Welcome, welcome at any moment,” Putin said, using the English word welcome. Putin added that if Moscow and Washington could agree on energy cooperation, then gas supplies for Europe could resume after Russia lost its primary position as the main supplier to Europe during the war.

Trump threatens Russia with 'devastating' economic pain if it doesn't sign cease-fire
Paul Godfrey/UPI/March 13, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump warned Russia of "devastating" economic consequences if it did not sign a cease-fire deal his administration has agreed to with Ukraine but stressed he hoped it wouldn't be necessary to exert that type of pressure. "There are things that you could do that wouldn't be pleasant, in a financial sense. I can do things financially that would be very bad for Russia. I don't want to do that because I want to get peace," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday as he met with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin. "In a financial sense, yeah we could do things very bad for Russia, it would be devastating for Russia."Trump reiterated his preference for persuasion over coercion on the 30-day cease-fire negotiated with Ukraine by U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, saying he and his team were "getting close to maybe getting something done.""We had a great success yesterday. We have a full cease-fire when, if, it kicks in, but it's up to Russia now," he added. While Ukraine has agreed to the truce, which would suspend conflict with the frontlines as they stand, the reaction from Moscow has been cool, claiming it was being left out of the loop. "Nobody is talking to us. They keep saying, 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,' but they do everything about Russia without Russia," Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz had spoken on the phone with his Russian counterpart Wednesday and that Trump's Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, was headed to Moscow. "We urge the Russians to sign on to this plan. This is the closest we have been to peace in this war. We are at the 10th-yard line and the president expects the Russians to help us run this into the end zone."Russia's state-run TASS news agency reported in the last few minutes that Witkoff's plane had arrived at Moscow's Vnukovo International Airport from Doha, touching down at around 11:40 a.m. local time. After the U.S.-Ukraine talks in Jeddah concluded, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration's next step would be to "bring the deal to [Russia] directly.""If their response is yes, then we know we've made real progress and there's a real chance at peace. If their response is no, it would be highly unfortunate and it would make their intentions clear," said Rubio.

Kuwait frees group of jailed Americans, including contractors held on drug charges
Associated Press./March 13, 2025
Kuwait has released a group of American prisoners, including veterans and military contractors jailed for years on drug-related charges, in a move seen as a gesture of goodwill between two allies, a representative for the detainees told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The release follows a recent visit to the region by Adam Boehler, the Trump administration's top hostage envoy, and comes amid a continued U.S. government push to bring home American citizens jailed in foreign countries. Six of the newly freed prisoners were accompanied on a flight from Kuwait to New York by Jonathan Franks, a private consultant who works on cases involving American hostages and detainees and who had been in the country to help secure their release. "My clients and their families are grateful to the Kuwaiti government for this kind humanitarian gesture," Franks said in a statement. He said that his clients maintain their innocence and that additional Americans he represents also are expected to be released by Kuwait later. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The names of the released prisoners were not immediately made public. Kuwait did not acknowledge the release on its state-run KUNA news agency and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and its upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday typically see prisoner releases across Muslim-majority nations. Kuwait, a small, oil-rich nation that borders Iraq and Saudi Arabia and is near Iran, is considered a major non-NATO ally of the United States. Secretary of State Marco Rubio paid tribute to that relationship as recently as last month, when he said the U.S. "remains steadfast in its support for Kuwait's sovereignty and the well-being of its people."The countries have had a close military partnership since America launched the 1991 Gulf War to expel Iraqi troops after Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded the country, with some 13,500 American troops stationed in Kuwait at Camp Arifjan and Ali al-Salem Air Base. But Kuwait has also detained many American military contractors on drug charges, in some cases, for years. Their families have alleged that their loved ones faced abuse while imprisoned in a country that bans alcohol and has strict laws regarding drugs. Others have criticized Kuwaiti police for bringing trumped-up charges and manufacturing evidence used against them — allegations never acknowledged by the autocratic nation ruled by a hereditary emir. The State Department warns travelers that drug charges in Kuwait can carry long prison sentences and the death penalty. Defense cooperation agreements between the U.S. and Kuwait likely include provisions that ensure U.S. troops are subject only to American laws, though that likely doesn't include contractors. Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, his Republican administration has secured the release of American schoolteacher Marc Fogel in a prisoner swap with Russia and has announced the release by Belarus of an imprisoned U.S. citizen. The Americans released Wednesday had not been designated by the U.S. government as wrongfully detained. The status is applied to a subsection of Americans jailed abroad and historically ensures the case is handled by the administration's special presidential envoy for hostage affairs — the office that handles negotiations for a release. But advocates of those held in foreign countries are hopeful the Trump administration takes a more flexible approach and secures the release of those not deemed wrongfully detained. "The sad reality is that these Americans were left in prison for years due to a misguided policy that had, before President Trump took office, effectively abandoned Americans abroad who hadn't been designated wrongfully detained," Franks said in a statement. "These releases," he added, "demonstrate what is achievable when the U.S. government prioritizes bringing Americans home."

The Latest English LCCC analysis & editorials from miscellaneous sources on March 13-14/2025
U.S. Hostage 'Negotiator' Says Hamas Wants Peace, Offers '15-Year Truce', U.S. Rebuilding of Gaza
Daniel Greenfield/Gatestone Institute./March 13, 2025
President Donald Trump is saying all the right things, on the other hand, his team is going in and saying all the wrong things.
After Trump's common sense approach, Steve Witkoff, the "envoy" responsible for foisting the disastrous Biden ceasefire on us, would water them down and dismiss the president's proposals. Now White House Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler... said... "Hamas suggested that they would release all hostages, lay down their weapons, and no longer be part of the politics of Gaza and that the US and its allies would ensure there was no military infrastructure remaining in Gaza. In exchange, there would be a five to ten-year truce, and the US and other countries would help rebuild Gaza."
Hamas is not going to "disarm." A 10-15 year truce is a period of time during which Hamas rearms and prepares for another October 7 attack, as they have told us over and over again they will do. And Hamas, not Israel or the U.S., will decide when the truce actually lapses. Much like Hamas announced the previous two-year ceasefire was over by attacking on Oct 7.
This proposed deal leaves Hamas in Gaza, and has the U.S. rebuild Gaza for 10-15 years.
In short, it's the worst deal imaginable for America and for Israel.
President Donald Trump is saying all the right things. On the other hand, his team is going in and saying all the wrong things. Adam Boehler, the White House Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, is pushing the same nonsense that got us to October 7, 2023. His proposed deal leaves Hamas in Gaza, and has the U.S. rebuild Gaza for 10-15 years.
In short, it's the worst deal imaginable for America and for Israel.
The Trump administration's Gaza policy is completely divided.
On the one hand, President Donald Trump is saying all the right things. On the other hand, his team is going in and saying all the wrong things.
After Trump's common sense approach, Steve Witkoff, the "envoy" responsible for foisting the disastrous Biden ceasefire on us, would water them down and dismiss the president's proposals. Now White House Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, who appeared to be a credible figure, decided to directly meet up with Hamas and came out with exactly the sort of thing John Kerry or Jimmy Carter would have come away with.
Boehler said that Hamas is not interested in returning to war:
"Israel has done a masterful job of eliminating Hamas and Hezbollah. Hamas did orient toward a long-term truce where they would be disarmed, they would not be part of the political policy, and where we would ensure that they are in a place where they can't hurt Israel. Part of that was rebuilding Gaza."
In an interview with Kan, he added:
"Hamas suggested that they would release all hostages, lay down their weapons, and no longer be part of the politics of Gaza, and that the US and its allies would ensure there was no military infrastructure remaining in Gaza. In exchange, there would be a five to ten-year truce, and the US and other countries would help rebuild Gaza."
He addressed the Israeli concerns over the US opening a direct channel with Hamas:
"The Israelis were kept informed. It's totally fair for Israel to have concerns, but we are not an agent of Israel – we are the United States, and we have specific interests at play."
Boehler outlined a possible framework for a deal: that Hamas lay down its arms in exchange for prisoner releases, leading to a long-term truce.
"I think there's an answer here, and I think the answer is that Hamas lays down their arms," he said.
"We exchange prisoners, and they go into a long-term truce, where they don't fight, they're not part of any political party, and that gives us lots of cooling-off time.
"I spoke with Ron, and I'm sympathetic. He has someone that he doesn't know well, making direct contact with Hamas. Maybe I would see them and say, 'Look, they don't have horns growing out of their head. They're actually guys like us. They're pretty nice guys.'"
Boehler since walked back the "nice guys" comment, but it seems symptomatic of a regular pattern which is:
Our guys go to Qatar and leave brainwashed.
The obsession with making a deal overshadows common sense about dealing with terrorists.
I'm not going to quibble about his word choices like calling Israeli hostages "prisoners" or calling Hamas terrorists "hostages," because the bigger issue is he's pushing the same nonsense that got us to October 7, 2023.
Hamas is not going to "disarm." A 10-15 year truce is a period of time during which Hamas rearms and prepares for another October 7 attack, as they have told us over and over again they will do. And Hamas, not Israel or the U.S., will decide when the truce actually lapses. Much like Hamas announced the previous two-year ceasefire was over by attacking on Oct 7.
This proposed deal leaves Hamas in Gaza, and has the U.S. rebuild Gaza for 10-15 years.
In short, it's the worst deal imaginable for America and for Israel.
And this is the problem when we start dealing with terrorists instead of letting our allies defeat them.
Daniel Greenfield is a Shillman Journalism Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center. Reprinted by kind permission of the Center's Front Page Magazine.
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© 2025 Gatestone Institute. All rights reserved. The articles printed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editors or of Gatestone Institute. No part of the Gatestone website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied or modified, without the prior written consent of Gatestone Institute.
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/21467/us-hostage-negotiator-boehler

Syria shows dangerous signs of Iraq’s post-Saddam chaos
Sally Michael, opinion contributor/The Hill/ March 13, 2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/03/141168/
Democracy and peace are not guaranteed when a dictator falls — sometimes, a country’s fate turns uglier and messier.
Look no further than Iraq. The aftermath of Saddam’s fall demonstrates that even most well-intentioned policies under the guise of a “new democracy” can backfire abysmally. Today, Iraq still reels from the consequences of de-Baathification, transitional justice failures and a vague constitution that have contributed to decades of needless sectarian violence and terror.
This does not have to be true of Syria.
In a recent address to the nation, Syria’s new self-appointed president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, pledged a reformed government that protects the rights of all minorities and expressed aspirations of a modern Syria, comparable to Saudi Arabia and its latest reforms.
The outlook is far from promising. Recent reports of intense clashes, allegedly between al-Sharaa’s security forces and members of the Alawite religious minority, have resulted in more than 1,000 deaths just two days, casting serious doubt on the country’s stability.
Yes, Syria faces its own distinct set of challenges. But at a minimum, it must move quickly avoid the sectarian fractures that devastated post-Saddam Iraq. Iraq’s policy of de-Baathification stands as one of its most disastrous decisions. The government dismissed approximately 100,000 Baathist professionals — party members under Saddam’s regime — from their jobs, disbanded the military, and restructured the government under predominantly Shia leadership, disproportionately affecting Sunnis.
To make matters worse, despite ambitious plans to address Saddam’s legacy of human rights abuses, transitional justice measures focused on purging and persecuting former Baathists. Plans for truth commissions by the best Iraqi lawyers and judges failed to materialise, and working-class educators, doctors and civil servants were treated the same as Saddam’s murderous accomplices. Consequently, thousands of young Sunni men joined violent insurgent groups seeking retribution, including The Islamic State. Among them were Saddam’s most skilled commanders, who became key lieutenants to Caliph al-Baghdadi, head of ISIS.
Syria must avoid a similar policy of de-Alawitization. For decades, more than 80 percent of Alawites — Bashar Assad’s own ethnic group — worked under his government, despite comprising around 10 percent of the country’s population. In reality, however, most soldiers earned as little as $35 a month after the Syrian pound had lost 99 percent of its value since the 2011 civil war. Al-Sharaa has assured Alawites there will be no mass purges and has granted amnesty to most of Assad’s former soldiers.
However, thousands of Alawites remain uncertain about their fate following the dissolution of Syria’s army, security forces and Baathist government. Reports indicate that the new administration has illegitimately replaced thousands of senior administrators across key institutions with unqualified individuals. Meanwhile, the state is planning a major economic overhaul including cutting one-third of public-sector jobs to reduce waste and corruption and transitioning to a “competitive free-market economy.”
Alawites also look to al-Sharaa’s government for protection against active radicals in the country seeking to settle scores with their former tormentors. A major challenge will be balancing sufficient security in Alawite communities despite the severe strain on existing resources and the overwhelming demands of the country.
Although officials have held meetings with the local Alawite leaders emphasizing security and accountability to sectarian agitators, Alawites remain justifiably nervous about their future. Fresh reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights state over 162 Alawite civilians have been executed in “field executions” in Syria’s coastal Latakia province. Additionally, heavy fighting erupted in Alawite-concentrated cities early this weekend, resulting in an estimated 830 Alawite civilian deaths, allegedly by Al-Sharaa’s security forces. Analysts are calling this by far the worst violence in Syria since rebels toppled Assad in December.
The situation echoes a warning from a Syrian source quoted in The New York Times: “If the new government cannot guarantee their safety, they will take matters into their own hands to protect themselves.”
These sectarian tensions could be a strategic asset for a country like Iran, which lost a major national ally and access to its critical land routes through Syria used for smuggling weapons to its Lebanese proxies. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated the presence of 70,000 Syrian fighters loyal to Iran and Hezbollah since 2014, organized by Tehran. Ominously, senior Iranian military figure Brig. Gen. Behrouz Esbati hinted at their potential utility early this year: “We can activate the social layers that our guys lived among for years; we can be active on social media, and we can form resistance cells.”
Alarmingly, Syria expert Aaron Y. Zelin of the Washington Institute confirmed that Iran-linked Assad remnants were indeed responsible for triggering the crisis, and have been involved in 46 attacks across multiple provinces since January.
How Syria’s new constitution addresses these fundamental issues will prove extremely consequential. Under immense pressure to stabilize the country and meet tight U.S. deadlines, Iraq hastily drafted a constitution that left key issues of power sharing and the governance of oil-rich regions ambiguous, contributing to a shift toward greater authoritarianism. In an Al Arabiya News interview, al-Sharaa seemed to acknowledge these complexities, outlining a generous three- to four-year timeline for drafting and elections.
However, his administration must reconcile the differing perspectives of Syria’s diverse ethno-sectarian population — including Kurds, Druze and Christians — each with distinct moral and cultural attitudes. More difficult will be striking a balance between state and religion and upholding democratic values, which has historically been a challenge in the Middle East.
A former leader of the al Qaeda-affiliated group Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Sharaa today is positioning himself more as a pragmatist. But his interim government still includes many members of conservative Salafi-jihadist factions that have already removed Darwin and the Big Bang from the public school’s curriculum.
Syria’s future depends on precisely these nuanced policies and tactics evolving behind closed doors. Al-Sharaa’s government should de-escalate sectarian tensions now and develop policies that, unlike those of Bashar Assad, uphold the individual rights and freedoms of all Syrians — rights that were denied for more than five decades.
Syrians must hold their new leaders accountable. Their future and lives depend on it.
*Sally Michael is pursuing a master’s degree in conflict and terrorism at The University of Auckland in New Zealand.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Egypt’s Sisi: Camp David Is a Model for Lasting Peace
Mariam Wahba/FDD/March 12, 2025
After months of threatening to discard its peace treaty with Israel, Egypt has shifted its tone dramatically. Speaking at the emergency Arab Summit on March 4, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi remarked that the peace treaty is a “model that intends to transform the state of hostility, war, and the desire for revenge into permanent peace and diplomatic relations.”
Tensions Over Gaza Threatened the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty
The Camp David Accords of 1978 paved the way for the Israel-Egypt peace treaty of 1979, the first ever between the Jewish state and an Arab partner. Though often tested by regional instability and clashes between Palestinian factions and Israel, it has remained a cornerstone of Israeli-Arab relations.
Nevertheless, Cairo has repeatedly threatened the treaty amid the war sparked by the October 7 Hamas massacre. In February 2024, Jerusalem informed Cairo that it had planned a ground operation in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, which lies adjacent to the Egyptian border. In response, Egyptian officials reportedly said, “if even one Palestinian refugee crosses over — the peace agreement will be nullified.” Anticipating that Israel might proceed with the ground operation regardless, Egypt reinforced its security measures along its border with Gaza, adding cameras, watchtowers, and sensors.
Egypt Railed Against the IDF Offensive in Rafah
When the Israel Defense Forces launched its operation in Rafah in May 2024, Cairo mounted a concerted media and diplomatic campaign to paint the operation as reckless. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry accused Israel of pursuing a “policy of brinkmanship that has long-term impact.” Meanwhile, prominent Egyptian talk show host Amr Adeeb condemned the Israeli action, saying the move was “full of challenge and stupidity.” Egypt also further reinforced its border by moving tanks into the Sinai. By September 2024, the Philadelphi Corridor, an eight-mile stretch of land on the Gaza side of the border with Egypt, had come under Israeli control. Egypt warned that if Israel did not withdraw from the corridor, the treaty would be in jeopardy.While Cairo has threatened the peace treaty, its commitment to enforcing the pact is open to question. Since October 2024, the IDF has intercepted several drones smuggling weapons from Egypt into Gaza and Israel, with the most recent attempt occurring on January 28. Egyptian officials have dismissed claims that smuggling, via drones or otherwise, is taking place.
Washington Must Protect the Treaty Without Tying It to Gaza
While Sisi’s comment is a step in the right direction, Washington should emphasize the need to decouple the treaty’s stability from specific military operations or regional developments. The Camp David Accords have been a stabilizing force for nearly half a century, and their preservation should remain a U.S. priority.
**Mariam Wahba is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). For more analysis from Mariam and FDD, please subscribe HERE. Follow Mariam on X@themariamwahba. Follow FDD on X @FDD. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focused on national security and foreign policy.

Why did Syria’s Kurds sign a deal with the new regime?
Sinan Ciddi/FDD's Long War Journal/March 13/2025
https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2025/03/analysis-why-did-syrias-kurds-sign-a-deal-with-the-new-regime.php
On March 10, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) signed an agreement with Syria’s interim government, integrating the SDF’s 100,000-strong, predominantly Kurdish force into the new Syrian military. This move is surprising, given the deep distrust Syria’s Kurds have toward the interim government led by Ahmed al Sharaa. Sharaa, formerly the leader of Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS)—a previously Al Qaeda-affiliated group with historic ties to the Islamic State (IS)—was long perceived by the Kurds as a jihadist figure intent on dismantling Kurdish autonomy. Since 2015, the United States has directly partnered with the SDF to combat IS. However, after overthrowing dictator Bashar al Assad, Sharaa dissolved HTS and repositioned himself and former HTS elites as Syria’s new interim rulers. Seeking Western legitimacy, the new regime has promised inclusivity, hoping for the removal of international sanctions and terrorism designations on HTS leaders, including Sharaa himself. Initially, the SDF remained cautious as Kurdish leaders doubted that a former jihadist could establish an inclusive government. Their concerns were reinforced by early post-Assad attacks on Kurdish areas by Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) militias and Turkish drone and artillery strikes targeting civilian infrastructure. Despite these hostilities, Sharaa called on the SDF to dissolve and integrate into the Syrian military—a demand the Kurds resisted until March 10.
The SDF’s calculated risk
Why did the SDF ultimately accept integration? The most plausible explanation is a security guarantee from Turkey. On February 27, Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned Kurdish leader, was permitted by Turkish authorities to issue a public statement calling for the disarmament and dissolution of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), an organization Ocalan established. The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by the US and Turkey, is the ideological parent of the SDF’s fighting forces.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been negotiating with Ocalan, likely to secure the Kurdish parliamentary votes needed to amend the constitution and extend his rule beyond the current term limit. In return, Ocalan may have demanded constitutional guarantees for Kurdish political and cultural rights, as well as assurances that Turkey would not attack the SDF.
A risky gamble
Some may see the agreement between the SDF and the new Syrian regime as a Faustian bargain. Given a potential US withdrawal from Syria, the SDF faces a stark reality: without American protection, it risks annihilation by the Turkish military. Integrating into the Syrian armed forces could provide the SDF a temporary buffer against Turkish aggression.However, the nature of this integration remains uncertain. If Sharaa’s forces continue targeting minorities—such as the Alawite massacres on March 7—or if Kurds face renewed persecution, the SDF likely has contingency plans to withdraw from the agreement. For now, the deal reflects a pragmatic, albeit precarious, survival strategy in an unpredictable conflict.
*Sinan Ciddi is a non-resident senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), an associate professor of national security studies at Marine Corps University, and an expert on Turkish domestic politics and foreign policy.

Why Syria's Future Depends On Empowering The Kurds
By Azado Kurdian/MEMRI Daily Brief No. 738/March 13/2025
https://eliasbejjaninews.com/2025/03/141178/
On March 10, 2025, Mazloum Abdi, the General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and Mohammad Al-Jolani (Ahmed Al-Sharaa), who declared himself the president of the transitional government in Syria, signed an agreement. As reported by Kurdish media ANF media, the Abdi and Al-Sharaa agreed on the following:[1]
1. "The guarantee of the right to representation and participation for all Syrians, regardless of their religious and ethnic backgrounds, in the political process and all state institutions."
2. "The Kurdish community is an indigenous community of the Syrian state, and the Syrian state guarantees its citizenship rights and all constitutional rights."
3. "A ceasefire to be implemented across all of Syrian territory."
4. "The integration of all northeastern Syria's civilian and military institutions, including border crossings, airports, and oil and natural gas fields, into the management of the Syrian state."
5. "Ensuring that all displaced Syrians return to their towns and villages and are protected by the Syrian state."
6. "Supporting the Syrian state's fight against any threat by the remnants of the Assad regime, as well as threats to security and unity."
7. "Rejecting calls aimed at creating divisions among the components of Syrian society, hate speech, and attempts to spread discord."
8. "The Executive Committees will continue working to ensure the implementation of the agreement by the end of the year."
SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi and Syrian interim president Ahmed Al-Sharaa signed an agreement that includes guaranteeing all constitutional rights of the Kurds and integrating NE Syria military and civilian institutions into the Syrian Government.
The signing of the agreement with Al-Sharaa came after the visit of U.S. Central Command General Michael Kurilla to northeastern Syria, to encourage the SDF commander to reach an understanding with Damascus.[2]
The agreement that was signed by Al-Sharaa and Abdi has faced criticism within the Kurdish community, though much of it remains unexpressed.
Below is an article by Kurdish expert Azado Kurdian, which was written a day before the signing of the Al-Sharaa-Abdi agreement:
The so-called "New Syria" honeymoon is over. The true nature of the Islamist jihadist regime led by Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani is now fully exposed. Once presented as rebranded political figure Al-Sharaa, Jolani has returned to his former self, orchestrating massacres against Alawite communities along Syria's coast, claiming to target remnants of the Assad regime.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports that 1,311 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the ongoing violence. Social media is filled with videos showing Alawite victims being brutally executed, many of them publicly humiliated before suffering even worse fates.
The Alawites targeted in these massacres are often equated with Bashar Al-Assad's Baathist regime. This reflects Jolani's regime, which believes Syria belongs exclusively to Sunnis, while Alawites, seen as Assad regime supporters, deserve to be humiliated and massacred. This exclusionary ideology has also marginalized other ethnic and religious minorities, particularly the Kurds.
Kurds, Druze, Alawites, And Christians Are All Under Imminent Threat
Despite the Kurds' pivotal role in fighting ISIS and other terrorist groups, sacrificing over 15,000 fighters, they have been systematically excluded from decision-making processes by Jolani's regime. Similarly, Druze and other minority groups have been marginalized, with requests for self-defense weapons routinely denied, leaving them vulnerable.
Recent events demonstrate that disarming means remaining defenseless – vulnerable to brutal massacres like those we are witnessing now. This serves as an urgent wake-up call for all communities in Syria: They must protect themselves against Jolani's ruthless jihadist regime.
Kurds, Druze, Alawites, and Christians are all under imminent threat from this extremist ideology. This situation should be a wake-up call for both the Syrian people and the international community. Countries like Turkey, Qatar, the UK, and others in Europe previously praised Jolani, offering him photo ops and presenting him as a new hope for Syria.
Despite repeated warnings from Kurds and Druze about giving Jolani a free pass, Western and regional actors ignored the reality on the ground. Syria's ethnic and religious minorities were sidelined, denied a fair role in shaping the country's future, and left unprotected. These recent massacres have proven the validity of those warnings.
Kurdish leaders have condemned the violence. Kurdish Foreign Minister Ilham Ahmed emphasized the necessity of protecting civilians and advocated for dialogue as the only solution to Syria's future: "We are deeply concerned about the escalating violence on the Syrian coast, harming innocent civilians, especially women and children. We call for the protection of all civilians and emphasize that only peaceful solutions and dialogue can end the crisis. The suffering caused by injustice and the former regime's legacy has deepened divisions. We reject the punishment of entire sects as 'regime remnants' and urge Damascus to stop its advances to avoid further tragedy."[3]
Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), called for accountability for those responsible for the mass killings and stressed the need for justice for Syria's ethnic and religious minorities.[4]
Ruken Jamal, spokesperson for the Kurdish Women's Protection Units (YPJ), condemned the massacres as attacks on all Syrian women and reaffirmed their commitment to resisting the violence. Jamal said they will not accept such brutal attacks and stand against them with their struggle.[5]
The U.S. Must Take A Firmer Stance Against Jolani
In the U.S., figures like National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also cautioned that the leaders in Damascus could not be trusted. Gabbard noted that Syria was now controlled by the Al-Qaeda offshoot HTS, led by an Islamist Jihadist who celebrated the 9/11 attacks and was responsible for the deaths of many American soldiers.[6]
Rubio echoed this sentiment during his confirmation hearing, reiterating his condemnation of the atrocities against Alawites, Druze, Kurds, and Christians.[7]
The U.S. must take a firmer stance against Jolani, HTS, and their so-called transitional government, while urgently prioritizing the protection of Syria's ethnic and religious minorities and empowering the Kurds to become the key actor in shaping Damascus' future.
From the outset, Israel warned the international community about Jolani's regime being a jihadist Islamist regime with a violent past. Yet, Europe turned a blind eye. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar have been outspoken from the beginning, stressing that Jolani and his inner circle cannot be trusted.[8]
Saar has consistently warned that these individuals are criminals in disguise and that the West must recognize the true nature of this regime. Saar's call for international action against these atrocities has proven to be valid.[9]
In contrast, the European Union's response has been disappointing. Rather than condemning the brutal massacres of Alawite civilians, the EU blamed pro-Assad insurgents, ignoring the atrocities committed against innocent people.[10]
While European countries have started issuing more cautious statements, especially following Rubio's condemnation, stronger action is still needed. Meanwhile, Turkish and Qatari media continue to push the narrative that pro-Assad loyalists are responsible for the violence, portraying Jolani's regime as merely responding to an insurgency. These governments and their media outlets focus on advancing their own agendas, ignoring the grim realities on the ground.
There Will Be No "New Syria" Under Islamic Ideology
Kurds, as Syria's largest ethnic minority – comprising 20 percent of the population – must realize that there will be no "New Syria" under an Islamic, jihadist, Sunni-dominated ideology. Since December, despite the passing months, no effort has been made to form an inclusive government or adopt policies that reflect Syria's multicultural fabric. Instead, ethnic and religious minorities have been further marginalized and stripped of their identities.
The atrocities against Alawites should serve as a warning: Similar massacres could occur elsewhere if minorities are left defenseless. Had the Kurds not maintained strong, organized forces, or had the Druze not armed themselves to protect their territories, they too would have faced the same fate.
This sends a clear message: Syria's future must follow a different path. The Kurds, in particular, now clearly see that they must adopt a more assertive stance in shaping their future. Turkey has played a highly negative role, actively working to impose Jolani's Sunni jihadist rule over Syria, with Qatar supporting the same approach. However, time has shown that this strategy is neither viable nor sustainable.
Kurds must pursue a bolder approach, forming strategic alliances with other minorities, especially the Druze, to establish a federation or confederation that embraces all marginalized communities, including Christians and Yazidi Kurds. This inclusive, multicultural federation could counter jihadist forces and promote regional stability.
Israel's role in this vision is crucial. As a regional power and a beacon of hope for minorities, Israel has a vested interest in preventing Syria from becoming a safe haven for jihadists. Strengthening the Kurds and neutralizing Turkey's destructive influence should be key priorities. The Kurdish-led administration remains the only viable alternative to Jolani's Sunni jihadist rule, with over 100,000 battle-hardened forces and a proven model of governance that contrasts sharply with the extremist rule in Damascus. It is in the interests of the U.S., Europe, and Israel to empower the Kurds, so their model can serve as a blueprint for Syria's future.
The Autonomous Administration of North and Eastern Syria (AANES) represents the most developed, progressive, and inclusive part of Syria – a stark contrast to the extremist rule elsewhere in the country. In AANES, all ethnic and religious identities are respected, women hold leading roles in society, and Kurdish, Arabic, and Syriac are recognized as official languages. This inclusive governance model should be supported and expanded, rather than allowing Syria to fall under the oppressive, regressive rule of Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists.
The West Must Counter Turkish And Qatari Influence
The U.S. and Israel should focus on empowering the Kurds instead of some Western countries pressuring them to accept integration with the Damascus regime under HTS, where they would be sidelined. The Kurdish-led administration offers the only real alternative to jihadist rule and must play a central role in shaping Syria's future. This vision embraces diversity as a strength, not a threat, and ensures that other oppressed minorities, including Christians, Druze, and Alawites, can secure their place in a democratic, pluralistic, and decentralized Syria.
So far, however, Western countries have pressured the Kurds to suppress their demands and accept life under HTS, largely due to Turkish influence. Turkey, with Qatar's backing, has played a destructive role in Syria, sidelining the Kurds while empowering HTS and other radical factions. Many figures within the current Syrian administration hold Turkish citizenship, further highlighting Ankara's direct influence over Syria's affairs. Meanwhile, Ankara and Jolani hypocritically criticize Israel, despite Turkey's long history of ethnic cleansing against the Kurds and demographic engineering in Afrin and other Kurdish regions.
The West must recognize this reality and counter Turkish and Qatari influence, which continues to enable jihadist groups and obstruct real progress toward a stable Syria. Instead of tolerating Turkey's destructive, excluding, Sunni jihadi agenda, Western powers should work to strengthen the secular, pro-Western Kurdish-led administration as Syria's best hope for a democratic and pluralistic future and ensure Kurdish people receive their fair share in a truly pluralistic, multicultural, new Syria. Otherwise, Kurds need to pursue their own path and declare independence in their ancestral land: Kurdistan (Rojavaye Kurdistan, Western Kurdistan), where they can live freely with their distinctive identity, language, and culture. As a people who understand them best, the Israeli people and state should support the Kurds strongly.
An independent Kurdish state in Syria, as suggested by representative Brian Mast (FL-R), who is chairman of the U.S. Congress Foreign Affairs Committee,[11] will be a safe homeland for the Kurds, long oppressed by both the Assad regime and sidelined by the current Jolani regime, and a reliable, friendly ally for Israel as well.
*Azado Kurdian is a Kurdish scholar and expert on Kurdish, Turkish and Syrian affairs.
[1] Anfenglishmobile.com/rojava-syria/mazloum-abdi-and-ahmed-al-sharaa-sign-agreement-78335, March 10, 2025.
[2] Akhbarkum-akhbarna.com/archives/55152, March 11, 2025.
[3] X.com/ElhamAhmadSDC/status/1898375494237585808, March 8, 2025
[4] Reuters.com/world/middle-east/syrian-kurdish-commander-demands-accountability-those-behind-mass-killings-2025-03-09, March 9, 2025.
[5] X.com/YPJDefense/status/1898791920081535001, March 9, 2025.
[6] Foxnews.com/world/tulsi-gabbards-warning-senate-syria-proves-prophetic-al-qaeda-linked-regime-slaughters-minorities, March 8, 2025.
[7] State.gov/the-escalation-of-fighting-and-civilian-deaths-in-syria/, March 9, 2025.
[8] Timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/saar-calls-new-syrian-government-an-unelected-bunch-of-jihadists, March 9, 2025.
[9] T.co/A8V8BcXdS1, March 9, 2025.
[10] X.com/eu_eeas/status/1898487797348225207?s=46, March 8, 2025.
[11] Rudaw.net/english/world/08032025, March 8, 2025.
https://www.memri.org/reports/why-syrias-future-depends-empowering-kurds

The Houthis’ four-year honeymoon is over
Dalia Al-Aqidi/Arab News/March 13, 2025
The US State Department last week reinstated the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation for Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group, fulfilling an order announced by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office. This action underscores Washington’s commitment to countering Iran’s proxies and addressing the growing threat posed by the Houthis, whose violent actions have destabilized Yemen and the broader Middle East. As part of this move, the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program announced it would pay up to $15 million for information leading to the disruption of Houthi financing, signaling a focused effort to cut off the financial resources that sustain the group’s violent campaign.
This decision is a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and limit Iran’s influence in the region.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the Houthis have repeatedly targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, in addition to posing a direct threat to US service members. He underscored that the US will not tolerate any nation engaging with terrorist organizations like the Houthis, especially under the pretense of legitimate international trade. This stance reaffirms his country’s commitment to holding such groups accountable and protecting global maritime security.
The Houthis, who seized control of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014, have expanded their reach through a combination of military aggression and support from Iran’s Quds Force, which has enabled them to carry out sustained attacks, not only against Yemen’s legitimate government but also against civilian infrastructure across the region.
This is not the first time the terrorist group has faced significant actions to curb its influence. In early 2021, the first Trump administration made the same pivotal decision, marking a critical step in isolating the group from global financial networks. It severely restricted the Houthis’ ability to access vital funds, resources and weapons, all of which were essential to sustaining their violent campaign.
However, in an unexpected shift, the Biden administration removed the pro-Iran group’s designation shortly after taking office in 2021, claiming that the designation was hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen. This allowed the Houthis to operate with greater freedom and enabled them to continue their violent activities with no solid consequences.
This decision is a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and limit Iran’s influence in the region
By reinstating the designation, the Trump administration has sought to correct this mistake and reassert its commitment to combating terrorism in the Middle East. The restoration of the designation sends a clear message that Washington will not tolerate the Houthis’ acts of terror and that they will be held accountable for their actions. In addition, it will have far-reaching consequences for their supporters, particularly key backer Iran.
The reinstatement will significantly disrupt the Houthis’ access to international financial systems. The American government will now have the authority to freeze any assets tied to the Houthis within US jurisdiction and block any financial transactions that could benefit the group. The terrorist group will be cut off from much-needed funds, preventing it from acquiring weapons, ammunition and other resources that support its ongoing terrorist activities.
This financial pressure may also limit the Houthis’ ability to recruit new members and sustain their violent campaign, particularly if it cuts off the supply lines from Iran. By targeting the group’s financial networks, the US aims to undermine its capacity to carry out attacks and weaken its operational capabilities.
The American decision will also have military and strategic consequences. It gives the US and its allies a stronger legal basis to take military action against the Houthis. It allows the US to target Houthi military positions and leaders, as well as their weapons supply chains. It also justifies increasing military operations in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, areas where the Houthis have targeted commercial shipping vessels. By protecting these crucial maritime routes, Washington and its allies can help safeguard global trade. Meanwhile, it also provides further legal grounds for rapidly responding to hostile actions against US Navy warships in the area.
Even though this action may complicate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Yemen, the US has stated that it will implement measures to ensure aid reaches those in need without benefiting the Houthis. This includes working with international organizations and ensuring that aid distribution is closely monitored. The goal is to prevent the terrorists from diverting humanitarian resources to fund their brutal activities, while ensuring that the suffering of the Yemeni people does not go unaddressed. Alleviating the humanitarian crisis without enabling the Houthis to exploit the situation for their own gain requires a delicate balance that needs to be carefully navigated.
The redesignation carries significant regional consequences, particularly for Washington’s allies like Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel, who have been targeted by the group. It reinforces the White House’s support for its allies and holds Iran’s proxies accountable. However, this action is not without its risks — it may escalate tensions with Iran, potentially leading to increased support for the Houthis and other militant groups, which could complicate efforts to de-escalate broader Middle East tensions and strain the US’ diplomatic relations with both Iran and its allies.
The Houthis’ actions extend far beyond the Arabian Peninsula, threatening not only regional stability but also global security. As part of Iran’s broader strategy to weaken US influence and sow chaos across the Middle East, this decision by the Trump administration was both essential and decisive. This bold move has strengthened the international community’s ability to hold the Houthis accountable, cutting off their support and limiting their capacity for further violence. It also catalyzes greater cooperation among nations committed to eradicating terrorism and safeguarding global peace. This decision was not just a strategic victory in countering terrorism but a necessary step in securing a more stable and secure world.
• Dalia Al-Aqidi is executive director at the American Center for Counter Extremism.

Rethinking peace and coexistence in the AI age
Rafael Hernández de Santiago/Arab News/March 13, 2025
The dawn of a new year is often accompanied by resolutions, promises, and, let us face it, a generous helping of naive optimism. We set out to eat healthier, exercise more, or save money, only to find ourselves devouring pizza by February.
But perhaps as springtime approaches, humanity as a whole could make a belated resolution: To rethink coexistence and strive for a new era of peace. Nowhere is this call more urgent than in the Middle East, a region whose skies often echo with the sounds of war rather than laughter.
But let us be honest: It is 2025, and while some of us are debating the merits of pineapple on pizza, others are debating borders, religions and histories that stretch back thousands of years. If we are to find a way forward, it is time to rethink what coexistence truly means — not as a utopian ideal, but as a practical necessity. Philosophers have long grappled with the challenges of human conflict. Immanuel Kant, in his essay Perpetual Peace, argued that lasting peace could only emerge from a foundation of mutual respect and legal frameworks that transcend individual nations. Sounds great, right? Yet, here we are, centuries later, with international laws that are ignored more often than New Year’s gym memberships. Irony aside, Kant’s ideas remain relevant. The conflicts in the Middle East highlight the failure of both international governance and localized empathy. While governments sign treaties they do not intend to honor, children hold onto fading memories of safety. “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves,” said the Dalai Lama. Yet, it seems humanity’s inner turmoil spills over into policies and actions, creating external chaos.
And yet, philosophers also remind us of our potential. Martin Buber’s concept of the “I-Thou” relationship emphasizes seeing others as ends in themselves rather than means to an end. What if this profound principle could guide geopolitics? Imagine a world where nations treated one another not as rivals or pawns, but as partners in a shared human story. Admittedly, this might sound like the plot of a science fiction film, but every revolution — industrial, social, or ideological — began as a wild idea.
Imagine leveraging artificial intelligence to create platforms that facilitate genuine dialogue between conflicting groups.
Rafael Hernandez de Santiago
Enter technology — the double-edged sword of the modern age. While it has amplified voices, connected minds, and enabled innovation, it has also been wielded as a weapon in both literal and figurative senses. Yet, within this paradox lies a unique opportunity to rethink coexistence.
Imagine leveraging artificial intelligence to create platforms that facilitate genuine dialogue between conflicting groups. AI could analyze speech patterns, cultural nuances, and historical grievances to foster understanding rather than deepen divides. In the spirit of ironic optimism, let us hope it does not malfunction and spark a virtual war instead. Moreover, technology can offer new tools for transparency and accountability. Blockchain — a buzzword often associated with cryptocurrencies and get-rich-quick schemes — can be a powerful ally for peace. Smart contracts could ensure that aid reaches its intended recipients, while decentralized systems could make human rights abuses harder to conceal. Of course, no technological advancement can substitute for the human will to change. As Albert Camus wrote: “Peace is the only battle worth waging.” The Middle East’s troubles — and, indeed, those of the wider world — are deeply rooted in identities, memories, and narratives. Rethinking coexistence requires us to confront these with humility and courage.
Let us embrace the irony that hope often emerges from despair. The conflicts in Gaza, Yemen, and beyond are not just crises; they are opportunities to rethink our approach to coexistence. They challenge us to go beyond slogans and resolutions, to actively build bridges where walls once stood. Let us draw on the wisdom of philosophers, the potential of technology, and the strength of the human spirit to craft a new narrative — one where coexistence is not merely an abstract idea but a lived reality.
And if all else fails, let us at least agree on the one universal truth — pineapple has no place on pizza. Peace may take time, but some battles — culinary or otherwise — are worth fighting.
• Rafael Hernandez de Santiago, viscount of Espes, is a Spanish national residing in Saudi Arabia and working at the Gulf Research Center.

Kurds signal the end of their rebellion in Syria
Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg/Arab News/March 13, 2025
In one of the most significant developments since he came to power on Dec. 8, Syrian Arab Republic President Ahmad Al-Sharaa on Monday signed an agreement with Mazloum Abdi, head of the Syrian Democratic Forces, under which the group accepted Damascus’ authority and agreed to be integrated into the Syrian government’s security and administrative institutions. The agreement officially ended a 28-year armed conflict in northeast Syria, calling for a ceasefire in “all parts of Syrian territory,” which includes the areas under SDF control. This historic agreement, which came after weeks of meetings between the two sides, within the SDF and with its allies, is an important milestone in the new Syrian government’s efforts to extend its authority over the entire country. It was especially significant as it was signed as Damascus was still dealing with unrest on the west coast. Referring to that attempted rebellion, the agreement included the SDF’s commitment to “support the government of Syria in combating remnants of the Assad regime and all other sources of threat to Syria’s security and unity.”The SDF is a predominantly Kurdish coalition of armed groups that was founded in 2015, with US support, and serves as the military wing of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (unofficially known as Rojava). It is strongly opposed by Turkiye, which views it as an extension of the PKK, a group designated as terrorist by Ankara, the EU, the US and other countries.
Although the SDF’s exact organic relationship with the PKK is not clear, the group does not hide its sympathy to the PKK, whose leader Abdullah Ocalan’s pictures are displayed proudly in areas under SDF control. Turkiye accuses it of harboring wanted PKK fighters and has engaged in several battles with it for that reason. The timing of the agreement could not be more opportune. The image of the new government in Damascus was damaged by the unchecked violence days earlier in the predominantly Alawite regions of Latakia province. The agreement with the Kurds bolsters the new government’s credentials regarding its treatment of minorities and ends unfounded speculation that the SDF was somehow complicit in that unrest, even though Bashar Assad was its sworn enemy and it did not hide its relief that he was gone.
It helped that the PKK’s imprisoned head Ocalan had last month called on his movement to lay down its arms and dissolve itself. Ocalan added: “There is no alternative to democracy in the pursuit and realization of a political system.” If his group were to heed his call, it would end 45 years of civil war in Turkiye, which has claimed the lives of an estimated 40,000. Monday’s agreement was greeted with cheers by local Kurds and by Kurdish leaders in neighboring Iraq. Although the SDF initially said that Ocalan’s call did not concern it, his move has created momentum that was difficult to ignore. If the PKK were to disband, it would also deprive the SDF of a model and source of support. Thus, Monday’s agreement was greeted with cheers by local Kurds and by Kurdish leaders in neighboring Iraq. Regional governments and the EU welcomed it as well. The US, the SDF’s main backer, also supported it. On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a press statement that Washington “welcomes the recently announced agreement between the Syrian interim authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces to integrate the northeast into a unified Syria.” He added that the US “reaffirms its support for a political transition that demonstrates credible, nonsectarian governance as the best path to avoid further conflict.”
Looking deeper into the agreement with the SDF, it is clear the group has reached a fundamental turning point. Instead of carving out a special status for Kurds, it agreed that the “Kurdish community is an organic constituent within the Syrian state, whereby the state guarantees its right to citizenship and all other constitutional rights.” In another part of the statement, the state guarantees the rights of “representation and participation in the political process and all government agencies” of “all Syrians, irrespective of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.”
Significantly, in an apparent reference to Rojava, the agreement calls for “consolidating all civilian and military institutions in northeastern Syria into Syrian state institutions, including border crossings, the airport and oil and gas fields.” It rejected “calls for partition, hate speech and attempts to stir conflict between the constituents of Syrian society.” Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and the Gulf Cooperation Council were among the first to welcome the agreement and praise the government’s efforts to reunify Syria. Despite this universal support for the agreement, discussions over the details may delay its full implementation
The UN, the UK and Germany were also early supporters. The EU welcomed the agreement, describing it as paving the way for increased stability and a better future for Syrians. In a statement on its website, the bloc affirmed its readiness to provide Syria with the necessary support to implement the agreement’s provisions, noting that the national dialogue, which began at the end of February, must lead to the fulfillment of the aspirations of all components of Syrian society.
Despite this universal support for the agreement, discussions over the details may delay its full implementation. The last paragraph of the agreement instructed “the executive committees” to implement it before the end of 2025, indicating additional steps to be taken to put it fully into effect.
It is no secret that hard-liners in Iran, after their defeat in Syria, have tried to join hands with the SDF against the new government, a move the latter has said it rejected. Remnants of the old regime have also tried but clearly failed, as the agreement explicitly denounces them. Within the SDF and its affiliated institutions, some have taken to social media to minimize the importance of the agreement. An anonymous source was quoted on X by the Rojava Information Center as saying: “It is just a memorandum of understanding. It will not translate to any real change on the ground unless the joint committees agree on everything.” The agreement means, according to this source, that “now at least there are two sides agreeing on taking time to discuss everything in detail before rushing to implement any change.”
More significantly, an SDF spokesman was quoted as saying that government forces “will not enter the (northeastern Syria) region aside from potentially at border gates.” He added that there was no change in the situation regarding the Daesh prisons or the fight against Daesh in the region. The spokesman described the deal as “preliminary agreements” that will be worked on by committees. If these statements are accurately reported, they indicate hesitation on the part of some in the SDF or its affiliated civilian bodies. This calls for speedily empaneling the executive committees stipulated in the agreement, but also a fuller engagement with the US on the status of its forces in the SDF-controlled region, as well as the fate of the Daesh prisons and refugee camps.
**Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg is the GCC assistant secretary-general for political affairs and negotiation. The views expressed here are personal and do not necessarily represent those of the GCC. X: @abuhamad1

How Iran is exploiting sectarian strife in Syria
Hani Hazaimeh/Arab News/March 13, 2025
In the past few days, Syria’s coastal region, long considered a stronghold of the Alawite sect, has witnessed an eruption of violence that has left more than 600 dead — a grim toll that speaks volumes about the gravity of the conflict. The clashes between Sunni Muslim gunmen loyal to the newly established government and Alawite communities that remain loyal to the ousted Assad regime have reignited the sectarian fault lines that have plagued Syria for years. But what seems like a clash between local factions is, in reality, a complex interplay of internal and external forces — one that is shaping the future of Syria in profound ways.This violence is not merely a consequence of the country’s internal divisions but also a sign of the deeper struggles for influence over Syria’s post-Assad future. The unrest presents an existential challenge to the interim government under Ahmad Al-Sharaa, highlighting the tenuousness of the state’s control in the region. While the interim government is striving to establish its authority and legitimacy, its capacity to navigate these internal divisions is being tested. The role of external actors, particularly Iran, has been largely overlooked but it should not be underestimated. In fact, Iran’s shadow looms large over the recent violence, raising questions about the extent of its involvement in exacerbating these sectarian tensions to achieve its own regional ambitions.
Syria remains a fragmented state, struggling to overcome years of civil war and the deep scars left by the Assad regime
As the violence unfolded, reports emerged indicating that Sunni gunmen, perceived as loyal to the new government, began targeting Alawite communities — historically regarded as bastions of Assad loyalism. The human toll of these clashes is harrowing, with 428 Alawites, 120 pro-Assad fighters and 89 security forces confirmed dead. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent the deepening of the cleavages within Syrian society, where sectarian identity is increasingly weaponized, both by local actors and external powers. The visceral violence of the moment is a reminder that Syria remains a fragmented state, struggling to overcome years of civil war and the deep scars left by the Assad regime. But it is also a reflection of how external players like Iran are quietly shaping the conflict to further their own geopolitical goals.
Iran had long been a key ally of the Assad regime, providing military, economic and political support to maintain the regime’s grip on power. However, with the fall of Assad, Iran has shifted its tactics. While it continues to back the regime’s hard-line forces, it has reportedly also been involved in inciting unrest among Syria’s diverse sectarian groups.
There have been credible reports suggesting that Iran-backed militia groups have played a central role in instigating the recent violence. One particularly alarming incident occurred in Latakia’s Basnada village, where three individuals with links to Iran were caught attempting to kidnap a man from a predominantly Sunni village. Their goal was to kill him within an Alawite community in an attempt to ignite further violence between the two sects. The perpetrators admitted to their actions, underscoring the strategic role that Iran’s proxies are playing in exacerbating sectarian violence.
These provocations are part of a broader Iranian strategy to destabilize the country and maintain influence in the region by exploiting the very sectarian divisions that Iran helped create and foster during the war.
Equally concerning is the role of disinformation in fueling this violence. As seen in previous conflicts, the power of social media and online propaganda cannot be underestimated. In this case, coordinated disinformation campaigns have been traced back to networks operating under names like “Protection Observatory” and “Violations Documentation Observatory in Syria.” These networks, believed to have ties to Iranian-backed entities, have been disseminating false narratives and incendiary content designed to further inflame sectarian tensions.
By distorting facts and amplifying the fear of perceived threats, these actors aim to create an environment in which violence seems both justified and inevitable. Such campaigns are not simply the actions of rogue actors, they are part of a broader Iranian strategy to reshape the political landscape of Syria, even as the regime’s hold over the country wanes.
Iran’s actions in these recent clashes show a darker, more destabilizing side to its involvement in Syria
This manipulation of sectarian sentiments and the exploitation of fear for political gain speaks to the broader regional power struggle unfolding in Syria. While Iran supported the Assad regime as part of its broader vision for regional dominance, its actions in these recent clashes show a darker, more destabilizing side to its involvement in Syria. The violence is no longer about the Assad regime’s survival, it has become a battleground for regional power, where Iran’s long-term goals may supersede any commitment to the sovereignty of Syria. What we are witnessing is the gradual entrenchment of sectarianism as a tool of political maneuvering, a dangerous development that threatens not only Syria’s future but also the stability of the entire region.
The international community, particularly Arab states, must take a critical look at these developments. Iran’s destabilizing influence in Syria cannot be allowed to continue unchecked, especially as the country is on the brink of potential reconciliation and reconstruction. A shift in policy is needed, one that addresses the root causes of sectarian conflict, curbs external interference and allows Syria to heal from the wounds of war. But for this to happen, all parties — internal and external — must be held accountable for their role in perpetuating the violence.
In conclusion, the recent clashes in Syria’s coastal region are not merely an internal struggle for control, they are symptomatic of a deeper, more complex geopolitical battle. As Iran seeks to expand its influence, it does so at the cost of Syria’s internal stability. For peace to prevail, Syria’s future must be determined by Syrians themselves, without the manipulation of foreign powers whose interests often diverge from the aspirations of the Syrian people.
The path to lasting peace and stability in the Syrian Arab Republic may seem distant, but with the right international pressure and a commitment to internal dialogue, it is still possible to forge a future where sectarian divisions no longer dominate the political landscape.
**Hani Hazaimeh is a senior editor based in Amman. X: @hanihazaimeh

Saving Sudan’s children must be a global priority
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh/Arab News/March 13, 2025
As Sudan’s brutal war approaches the end of its second year, children remain particularly vulnerable to the ongoing violence, displacement and humanitarian collapse.
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has created a devastating humanitarian crisis, displacing millions and leaving millions more at risk of starvation, disease and violence. While war affects all civilians, children bear the heaviest burden. They are being killed, raped, forcibly recruited and left to die from preventable diseases. Many have lost their families and are now trapped in an endless cycle of suffering, with no access to education, healthcare or basic human necessities. Since fighting erupted in April 2023, Sudan has plunged into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The violence has displaced more than 11 million people, with over half of them being children. The war has forced families to flee their homes, often leaving children stranded in unfamiliar and dangerous environments. Many have been separated from their parents or orphaned, meaning they are left to fend for themselves in overcrowded displacement camps, war-torn villages or urban centers under constant bombardment.
Children are always the most vulnerable during conflicts, but Sudan’s war has exposed them to unprecedented dangers
Beyond displacement, Sudan’s children face other horrific consequences of war. Reports indicate that more than 200 children, including infants, have been raped. Rape is most likely being used as a weapon of war, leaving survivors traumatized, stigmatized and at risk of lifelong physical and psychological harm. The breakdown of law and order means that children are more exposed to sexual violence, trafficking and forced marriage. At the same time, disease is spreading rapidly. In White Nile State, a recent cholera outbreak claimed nearly 100 lives in just a few weeks, including at least 18 children. The destruction of essential infrastructure — such as water purification plants — has forced families to drink contaminated water, fueling the spread of deadly waterborne diseases. The collapse of Sudan’s healthcare system means that medical treatment is virtually nonexistent, leading to thousands of preventable deaths.
The discovery of a mass grave near Khartoum containing more than 500 bodies has further underscored the war’s horrific toll. Many of the dead, including children, had been subjected to torture before their execution. The conflict’s brutality has left no safe haven for Sudan’s youth, who continue to be the primary victims of war crimes, starvation and displacement.
Children are always the most vulnerable during conflicts, but Sudan’s war has exposed them to unprecedented dangers. Unlike adults, children lack the ability to protect themselves, find food or escape violence. Their survival depends entirely on the presence of a functioning society — something that has completely collapsed in Sudan.
Children in conflict zones suffer from severe malnutrition at alarming rates. The combination of food shortages, supply chain disruptions and deliberate attacks on humanitarian aid efforts has left millions of children at risk of starvation. UNICEF warns that Sudan is facing one of the worst child malnutrition crises in the world, with a third of all children under the age of five suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Many of these children will not survive without immediate medical intervention and access to food. Additionally, education has come to a complete halt for millions of Sudanese children. Schools have been destroyed, occupied by armed groups or turned into shelters for displaced families. Teachers have fled or been killed and a lack of resources has made virtual or alternative education impossible. With no access to schooling, an entire generation is at risk of growing up without education, further deepening poverty and instability in Sudan’s future. Children are also at high risk of recruitment by armed groups.
Sudan’s children need a coordinated international effort to ensure their long-term survival and well-being
The suffering of Sudan’s children is not just a tragedy, it is a failure of the international community. Despite the scale of the crisis, Sudan has received far less global attention and aid than other war-torn countries. Sudan’s children should not be forgotten. Their suffering is a direct consequence of global inaction and addressing their needs should be an urgent international priority.
There are several critical reasons why the world must prioritize Sudan’s children. The international community has a duty to protect the most vulnerable in times of war. The atrocities committed against Sudan’s children — including mass rapes, executions and forced starvation — are clear violations of international humanitarian law. The world cannot turn a blind eye to these crimes. A prolonged crisis in Sudan will contribute to greater instability in Africa, increased refugee flows, cross-border violence and extremist recruitment. By prioritizing Sudan’s children, the international community can help prevent future conflicts.
The current response to Sudan’s crisis is insufficient. Aid agencies are struggling to provide even basic necessities due to funding shortages and security threats. Sudan’s children need more than just temporary relief, they need a coordinated international effort to ensure their long-term survival and well-being. To address this crisis, world leaders and the African Union must take the following urgent steps.
A lasting ceasefire must be negotiated and enforced to allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need. The fighting must stop to give Sudan’s children a chance at survival.
The international community must also significantly increase funding for food, healthcare and education programs. Sudan’s children cannot wait while bureaucratic processes delay lifesaving aid. The Jeddah Declaration was a step in the right direction, but it must be strengthened and fully implemented. More pressure should be placed on the warring parties to honor their commitments and allow aid to flow freely.
Humanitarian organizations on the ground need more resources and protection to reach the most vulnerable communities. Governments and donors must support these efforts to ensure aid reaches children in need. In addition, the international community must take action against those responsible for war crimes against children, ensuring justice and deterrence against further atrocities.
In a nutshell, as the war in Sudan drags on, the country’s children continue to pay the highest price. They have lost their homes, their families, their safety and their future. Every passing day without action means more children will starve, die or fall victim to violence. Sudan’s children are not just statistics, they are the future of a nation. Their suffering should push the international community to act immediately.
**Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian American political scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh

On Violence, What Precedes It, and What Follows
Hazem Saghieh/Asharq Al Awsat/March 13/2025
The events that transpired on the Syrian coast were triggered by a terrorist operation at the hands of "remnants" of the deposed regime. However, it quickly morphed into something else, something much bigger that raises a series of pressing questions about our lives and our politics: How can we deal with grudges and vengeful tendencies? How should we approach the social contract in a pluralistic society? And how can we prevent extremist ideas and their proponents from taking over and shaping decisions? In addition, it seems that another issue these painful events have reintroduced: how violence and nonchalance toward violence shape our lives.
There is no doubt that we are deeply inclined to fall into the illusion of controlling violence, of restricting it to one place and leaving it out of another, of using it here and abating it there, and thus of steering it to serve the ends that we believe to be righteous. This inclination is often exploited to rationalize violence, while our mainstream political culture encourages us to embrace this delusion.
For decades before Islamist movements eliminated all metaphoric interpretations of "jihad," Levantine parties like the "Syrian Social Nationalist Party" and the "Arab Nationalist Movement," influenced by European fascism, had idealized the use of force. Martiniquais physician Frantz Fanon, as a result of his enthusiasm for Algeria and its revolution, taught us that violence against the colonizer is a form of therapy that cleanses the psyche of the oppressed.
With the Iranian Revolution of 1979, a new theory flourished: Khomeini had precipitated a major shift by channeling ritualistic violence, which had been directed inward, toward "imperialism and its stooge the Shah." And whenever an Arab country is rattled by domestic instability, there is always someone there to lecture us and insist that we ought to direct our rifles at "the Zionist enemy."
However, it seems that, relatively quickly, these teachings were proven spectacularly misguided. Algeria, despite having been "cleansed" by its "million martyrs," was not spared a long and costly civil war that saw Algerians killing Algerians. And every jump Khomeini’s Iran made in its fanaticism against imperialism did nothing but aggravate self-directed ritualistic violence. As for the "Zionist enemy," at no time have civil wars and intra-Arab disputes flourished like they have when our rifles had ostensibly been directed at the Zionists.
Violence, in this sense, resembles the unruly forces of nature that pre-philosophy philosophers believed to be the source and root-cause of the world. That is, contrary to its architects’ claims, we cannot control the forms and trajectories violence takes; we have just about as much control over it as the movements and trajectories of air, fire, and water.
As for the (correct) claim that violence had been at the center of our lives in the past, this is not a compelling reason to grant it a central role in our future. Accepting it as the inevitable "vehicle of history," simply because it had been so in the past, amounts to considering ourselves passive inertia in the face of violence - an inertia that benefits from neither civilization, nor progress, nor experience.
Moreover, since we are weak and lack any lever of power, all that violent ideologies do is compensate for our weakness by spreading an illusion of strength. The only material translation of this illusion is the circulation of the supposed force among ourselves. Overwhelmed with frustration by the clash between our imaginary world - where battles and victorious warriors define history- and the reality of our defeats, we delude ourselves once again, becoming convinced that we can overcome our frustration with more violence that, this time around, will surely do us justice and deliver an unequivocal victory.
It is true that we have had peaceful political movements in our modern history. Egypt’s Wafd Party may have been the first to launch one with its revolution in 1919. The first Palestinian Intifada of 1987 was also largely peaceful, as were the early days of the Arab Spring before they were crushed by force.
However, violent means would always eventually take hold, especially since we have never had any truly consequential peaceful movements. Thus, our lives have never been drained of sources of violence, while politics was marginalized, freedom of expression was stifled, and justice for victims was denied.
We have never managed to distinguish between allegiance to an idea and allegiance to a community, nor to prevent one ideological allegiance’s victory over another from turning into a victory of one community over another. We have never made serious efforts to reconcile our support for an idea with tests of the others’ will or their capacity to endure the consequences of the victory of our idea.
As for the worship of power and the monopolization of righteousness, both have become ingrained through a variety of mediums, some old and modernized, others modern and spiritually drowning in antiquity. Through a fusion of these mediums with a conspiratorial worldview that has mastered the craft of associating evil with foes that never change, power and resistance are presented as our destiny and only option.
With toxic slogans like "a war of existence, not a war of borders" and "never humanize the enemy," the door to tolerance between two sides of a conflict is closed shut, pushing everyone to firmly identify with their organic and sectarian background - identification that is more suited to genocidal violence than anything else.The fact is that no cause justifies arbitrary violence. And now, with the immense opportunity that has presented itself to the peoples of Syria and Lebanon, both the victors and the vanquished, the choice might be clearer than ever before. We can choose either politics and justice or force that leads to savagery and turns potential new beginnings into conclusive endings.