Lebanon’s security forces have thwarted an attempt to smuggle 20 Syrian refugees out of Lebanon by sea, the National News Agency reported…reports Asian Lite News
The 20 refugees were arrested on a boat in the Lebanese territorial waters off the coast of Arida, a village in northern Lebanon, according to security forces on Saturday.
The Syrian nationals, who were trying to flee Lebanon illegally, were detained and handed over to authorities for investigation and other legal procedures, said the report.
Syrian refugees in Lebanon have attempted to escape the crisis-ridden country over the past several months, seeking to enter Europe, Xinhua news agency reported.
President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a cable of congratulations to President Bashar al-Assad of the Arab Republic of Syria on his country’s National Day…reports Asian Lite News
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, sent similar cables to the Syrian President.
Syria urges UN to interfere to stop 'systematic' Israeli strikes
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad has urged the United Nations (UN) to interfere to curb the repetitive Israeli attacks in Syria, slamming such strikes as systematic, according to the state news agency SANA…reports Asian Lite News
In a letter addressing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Mekdad said the Israeli attacks have become “systematic,” requiring immediate action by the UN to protect and preserve the Agreement on Disengagement of 1974 signed under the auspices of the UN, Xinhua news agency reporter.
Mekdad added that Syria has always warned about the consequences of the continuous Israeli attacks on international peace and security.
The Syrian condemnation comes against the backdrop of an Israeli attack earlier on Sunday against military sites in central Syria.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor organization, said that the latest Israeli attack targeted a scientific research center west of Hama province.
The Israeli side claimed that Iranian-backed forces are using the center as a base to develop mid-range missiles and drones.
Amid the ruins in the old city of Aleppo, energetic construction workers are building and fixing the famous walled ancient marketplace, hoping to restore business life in the area to its former glory…reports Asian Lite news
During Syria’s protracted war, many sections of the al-Madina Souq, the world’s largest covered historic market, were destroyed, either ruined or burnt.
The reconstruction of the ancient market started in late 2018, about two years after the government regained control of the eastern part of Aleppo city. As in any other place in Aleppo, the workers and engineers have shown admirable determination and precision when carrying out such delicate work, as rehabilitating historic sites requires high skills, patience and thoroughness.
Loulwa Kharboutly, an engineer, told Xinhua that they are restoring the souk not only to their pre-war status but to their original real look which had been changed in the course of time. “Tremendous work is being done, and may God help everyone to rebuild and revive the old Aleppo and keep it on the world heritage list,” she said. However, the reconstruction work of the old market is facing many challenges, mainly from the U.S. and Western sanctions which forbid foreign companies to do business in Syria or even take part in its reconstruction. (XINHUA)
“We are facing a lot of difficulties such as the embargo. The sanctions imposed on Syria are making it hard for us to secure the raw materials,” Kharboutly told Xinhua.
Because of the sanctions and the resulting limited capacity, the work is being carried out only in the least damaged areas, she said.
“Faster restoration means faster return of shop owners. The main goal is to bring life back to these souks, so we have to attract people before fixing all the areas,” the Syrian engineer noted.
Syrian President, Iran Foreign Minister discuss nuclear deal
Syrian President Bashar Assad discussed the developments of talks on restoring the 2015 nuclear deal with the visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian in Damascus, Syrian state news agency SANA reported…reports Asian Lite News
During the meeting on Wednesday, Assad said reaching an agreement on the nuclear deal has become more important than ever for serving Iran’s interests and the regional and global balance, said the report.
For his part, Amir Abdullahian briefed Assad on the ongoing nuclear talks, saying his country has made proposals in line with the rights and interests of the Iranian people, and reaching an agreement requires the West to show serious will in responding to the proposals, Xinhua news agency reported.
The two sides also discussed bilateral cooperation in combating terrorism. The Iranian Foreign Minister stressed Syria’s role in regional stability, reiterating that his country would stand by Syria and its people until it regain control of all territories.
Assad’s visit to UAE marks Syria’s return to regional role despite U.S. opposition. Hussam Shuaib, a Syrian political expert, told Xinhua that the UAE provides Syria the gateway back to the Arab League and its role in the Arab world
The visit by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), his first diplomatic trip to an Arab country since 2011, marks the beginning of Syria’s return to its regional role despite the U.S. opposition since its suspension from the Arab League in 2011 after the outbreak of a civil war in the country, experts said.
During his visit, Assad met Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, among other senior UAE leaders, according to media reports.
Calling Syria a fundamental pillar of Arab security, the Abu Dhabi crown prince said the UAE is keen to strengthen cooperation with Syria to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people toward stability and development, the UAE official WAM news agency reported.
Taken as a surprise, Assad’s one-day visit to the UAE, once a backer of the insurgency against the Assad government, had been planned a long time ago and comes as the latest sign of warming ties between the two countries after the UAE reopened its embassy in Damascus in 2018 and sent its foreign minister to visit Syria in late 2021.
Hussam Shuaib, a Syrian political expert, told Xinhua that the UAE provides Syria the gateway back to the Arab League and its role in the Arab world.
“It’s without a doubt that the political significance of this visit would reflect positively not only on bilateral ties but on the Syrian-Arab relations in general,” Shuaib said.
The visit also implies trade opportunities from the Arab world for Syria to fight economic sanctions imposed by the United States and its Western allies, according to the Syrian expert.
“As a result of the economic situation and ongoing conflicts, Syria … also needs cooperation on the economic level, and there should be coordination and reopening as well for bilateral trade in goods,” he explained.
The UAE itself is interested in thawing ties with Syria “because the UAE needs to get rid of the Yemeni quagmire, and so is Saudi Arabia. Both apparently want to rearrange political relations with Iran, to which Syria is a close ally,” Shuaib noted.
Nonetheless, Syria’s reintegration into the Arab world could still be bumpy enough, especially amid the U.S. hindrance.
In a statement responding to Assad’s visit to the UAE, the U.S. State Department said it was “profoundly disappointed and troubled” by what it called an apparent attempt to legitimize Assad.
“America today is not at its best in front of new changes in the world,” said Shuaib, adding the remarks reflect a “state of disappointment” by Washington about the positive change in the Arab attitude toward Syria.
“If we follow the American policy over all the past decades, we will see that it is based externally on creating chaos in the world and stirring sectarian, religious, and ethnic conflicts,” he said.
For Emad Salem, also a political expert, the visit comes at the right time and will restore the unity of the Arab position despite the U.S. dissatisfaction with the change.
“The Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have begun to look at the future of relations with Washington, and relations with other countries of the world from the perspective of their interests,” he concluded. (XINHUA)
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad meets with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed stressed that Syria is a fundamental pillar of Arab security, and that the UAE is keen to strengthen bilateral cooperation, reports Asian Lite News
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Friday met with both Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid received President Al-Assad, at Al Marmoom Rest House, Dubai. President Bashar Al-Assad arrived in the country earlier on Friday, where he was received at the Dubai International Airport by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed expressed his wishes for peace, security, stability and prosperity to prevail in Syria and the entire region, The meeting dealt with the overall relations between the two countries and the prospects of expanding cooperation in a way to achieve their comprehensive development goals, and enhances the chances of peace and stability in Syria and the region.
The two sides also reviewed the current situation in Syria, as well as various developments on the Arab and international scene, and all topics of common interest.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad meets with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid affirmed the UAE’s keenness to discover new paths of constructive cooperation with Syria, and to monitor opportunities to advance this cooperation for the common interests of the two brotherly peoples.
The meeting was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, along with other officials.
The meeting was also attended by the delegation accompanying the Syrian President, including Dr. Faisal Mekdad, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.
Meanwhile, at Qasr Al-Shati’ Palace in Abu Dhabi, Assad met Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and briefed him on the latest developments in Syria.
According to an official, statement, the two sides reviewed the fraternal relations between the two nations, and the prospects of fostering cooperation and joint coordination to achieve their common interests and contribute to the consolidation of security, stability and peace in the Arab region and the Middle East.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed a number of issues of interest, and emphasised on preserving the territorial integrity of Syria and the withdrawal of foreign forces from the country, in addition to providing political and humanitarian support for Syria and its people to reach a peaceful solution to all the besetting challenges, it added.
Sheikh Mohamed stressed that Syria is a fundamental pillar of Arab security, and that the UAE is keen to strengthen cooperation with it to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Syrian people towards stability and development.
They reviewed the two countries’ position on all regional and international issues and developments of common interest.
Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the meeting.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Tuesday issued a global appeal for the plight of Syrians displaced by the 12-year war in the country not to be forgotten…reports Asian Lite News
“11 years since the crisis began, Syria remains the world’s largest displacement crisis. More than 13 million people have either fled the country or are displaced within its borders,” UNHCR spokesperson Boris Cheshirkov told a press briefing on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency reported.
Countries bordering on, or close to Syria have hosted more than 5.6 million Syrian refugees, Cheshirkov said. These countries are now under increased financial pressure, especially due to the devastating socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
World should not forget suffering in Syria: UN
“Today, most Syrian refugees in the region live in poverty. Prospects are dire for the most vulnerable among them, such as single mothers, children living without a caregiver, and people with disabilities,” Cheshirkov warned.
UN chief Antonio Guterres  says 11 years of “brutal fighting” in Syria must end…reports Asian Lite News
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a ceasefire in Syria in a statement marking 11 years of “brutal fighting” in the conflict-torn nation.
“We cannot fail the Syrian people. The conflict must cease. International humanitarian law must be respected,” said the UN chief.
“I call on all parties to meaningfully engage in the UN-facilitated political process and appeal for further support to scale up the humanitarian response. We must choose peace,” the secretary-general added.
The top UN official said that Syria’s 11 years of “brutal fighting” has come at an “unconscionable human cost,” subjecting millions there to human rights violations on a “massive and systematic scale.”
“The destruction that Syrians have endured is so extensive and deadly that it has few equals in modern history,” said the secretary-general.
He noted that the slow but systematic destruction of basic infrastructure around the country, since the civil war began in 2011 in the wake of the so-called “Arab Spring” of popular uprisings across the Middle East, has “deepened the economic crisis” and now, humanitarian needs are at their highest level since conflict began.
“We must not lose hope, we must act now. We must show the courage and determination to move beyond rhetorical commitments to peace and to do all that is necessary to reach a negotiated political solution in line with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015),” the UN chief said.
Syrian Fighters in Ukraine
Russia is recruiting Syrians for the war in Ukraine, who know how to fight in the urban areas of the city.
This was reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing four US officials. It is unknown exactly how many Syrian mercenaries were recruited, but according to the publication, some of them are already in Russia and are preparing to enter the conflict.
According to the publication, based in Deir ez-Zor, Syria, Russia offered volunteers from the country from $ 200 to $ 300 to travel to Ukraine, UNIAN reported.
Syrian militants have spent nearly a decade fighting in the urban areas, while Russian forces, mostly military, do not have this skill set, said WSJ expert Jennifer Cafarella, a researcher at the Institute for War Studies in Washington.
According to the chairman of the board of the Center for Defense Strategies Andriy Zagorodniuk, in less than 11 days of resistance, the Armed Forces managed to neutralise up to 46,000 Russian occupiers, including the killed, wounded and prisoners.
Soldiers Killed
At least 13 soldiers were killed when their bus was ambushed in the central province of Homs, a state media report.
Officers were among the slain soldiers, whose bus was attacked in the desert region of the city of Palmyra in the countryside of Homs, Xinhua news agency quoted the report as saying.
It added that 18 other soldiers were wounded by the “terrorist attack”, which was carried out with the use of various weapons.
The state media report did not name the group or individual behind the attack, but similar ones have been carried out by remnants of the Islamic State (IS) terror group, which is still active in the desert region.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights placed the death toll at 15.
It added that thetoll is likely going to rise as most of the wounded are in critical condition.
The attack is the latest in a series of targeting by the IS against the Syrian army in the desert area.
 In January, a similar attack by IS on a military bus near Palmyra killed five soldiers and wounded 20 others.
Israel strikes in Syria in response to anti-aircraft missile
Israel struck targets in Syria on Wednesday in response to an anti-aircraft missile launched from Syria, which exploded in mid-air, the Israeli army said…reports Asian Lite News
Sirens were heard in the Arab city of Umm al-Fahm in northern Israel as well as in the occupied West Bank, the army said in a statement.
Residents reported large explosion sounds, Xinhua reported citing the Hebrew-language news outlet Ynetnews.
There were no immediate reports of Israeli casualties.
The alerts in Israel came as the Syrian state media SANA reported the aerial defense systems in the Damascus area had been activated and intercepted Israeli missiles.
Over the past years, Israel has carried out numerous airstrikes on targets inside Syria based on the theories that those targets are linked with Iran-allied militias, such as Hezbollah. Both Iran and Syria deny those charges.
