Hundreds of Syrian Kurds gathered in Hasakeh in northern Syria on Sunday (December 25) to protest against a deadly gun attack in Paris that targeted the local Kurdish community.

A gunman opened fire at a Kurdish cultural centre and a hairdressing salon in Paris on Friday, killing three Kurds.

The suspected gunman, a 69-year-old Frenchman, was arrested and later confessed to a "pathological" hatred for foreigners, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said.

The semi-autonomous Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria called for the Sunday protest in Hasakeh, which drew hundreds of people brandishing photos of the three victims and calling for accountability.

"Kurds are fighting against oppression and they are massacred everywhere, even in Paris, the city of love and freedom," said feminist activist Evin Basho, 33, demanding that the killer be brought to justice.

The protesters marched through the city chanting "the martyrs of Paris are forever in our hearts" and repeating slogans against "the extermination" of the Kurdish people.

The Kurdish diaspora is often described as the world's largest ethnic group without a state. Kurdish people are spread across Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran.

Protester Azad Suleiman, 55, told AFP he felt Kurds were being targeted in the diaspora and at home.

"This is a war against our people, targeting us in the four parts of Kurdistan and even in Europe," he said, adding he had high hopes that the French authorities would bring the perpetrator to justice.

"We will not concede to the enemies in Kurdistan and we will not abandon our revolution," Suleiman said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Hundreds of Syrian Kurds gathered in Hasakeh in northern Syria on Sunday (December 25) to protest against a deadly gun attack in Paris that targeted the local Kurdish community.

Hundreds of Syrian Kurds gathered in Hasakeh in northern Syria on Sunday (December 25) to protest against a deadly gun attack in Paris that targeted the local Kurdish community. A gunman opened fire at a Kurdish cultural centre and a hairdressing salon in Paris on Friday, killing three Kurds. The suspected gunman, a 69-year-old Frenchman, was arrested and later confessed to a "pathological" hatred for foreigners, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said. The semi-autonomous Kurdish authorities in northeastern Syria called for the Sunday protest in Hasakeh, which drew hundreds of people brandishing photos of the three victims and calling for accountability. "Kurds are fighting against oppression and they are massacred everywhere, even in Paris, the city of love and freedom," said feminist activist Evin Basho, 33, demanding that the killer be brought to justice. The protesters marched through the city chanting "the martyrs of Paris are forever in our hearts" and repeating slogans against "the extermination" of the Kurdish people. The Kurdish diaspora is often described as the world's largest ethnic group without a state. Kurdish people are spread across Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran. Protester Azad Suleiman, 55, told AFP he felt Kurds were being targeted in the diaspora and at home. "This is a war against our people, targeting us in the four parts of Kurdistan and even in Europe," he said, adding he had high hopes that the French authorities would bring the perpetrator to justice. "We will not concede to the enemies in Kurdistan and we will not abandon our revolution," Suleiman said. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Kurdish people protest in Syria against Paris gun attack that killed three from community

How did a country left in ruins turned into a narco state. Ghadi Francis tells about Syria's drug trade tale on this week's The West Asia Post.

The West Asia Post: How Syria became Narco state?

In an attack on Sunday near Kirkuk in the north of the nation, where jihadists from the Islamic State group are still active, at least seven personnel of the federal police of Iraq were killed, according to police and government sources. A truck carrying the men was initially the target of a bomb attack. On condition of anonymity, a federal police official who linked the assault to IS told AFP that it was followed by "a frontal attack with small arms" close to the town of Chalal al-Matar. The attack's perpetrators were not immediately identified by any organisation.

"An assailant has been killed and we are looking for the others," the officer said, adding that two policemen were also wounded in the attack.

Seven police, including one officer, were killed in the incident, according to a Ministry of Interior spokesman in Baghdad.

IS took huge portions of Iraqi and Syrian territory starting in 2014, establishing a barbaric "caliphate," which they ruled until they were routed by Iraqi forces supported by a US-led military coalition in late 2017.

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Near the Iraqi border, IS lost their final stronghold in Syria in 2019.

Up until December of last year, the US-led anti-IS coalition retained a combat presence in Iraq, but some 2,500 American soldiers are still stationed there as trainers.

But there are still active IS relics across Iraq.

Security forces in Baghdad are still engaged in counterterrorism operations against the organisation, and news of the deaths of IS fighters in bombings and raids is frequently released.

Also watch |&nbsp;NATO: Russia's President Putin is planning for long war; Putin meets top military brass

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Despite the losses that have reduced IS to a shell of its former self, a UN study published earlier this year stated that the organisation can still depend on an underground network of between 6,000 and 10,000 militants to carry out assaults on both sides of the porous Iraqi-Syrian border.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In an attack on Sunday near Kirkuk in the north of the nation, where jihadists from the Islamic State group are still active, at least seven personnel of the federal police of Iraq were killed, according to police and government sources.

In an attack on Sunday near Kirkuk in the north of the nation, where jihadists from the Islamic State group are still active, at least seven personnel of the federal police of Iraq were killed, according to police and government sources. A truck carrying the men was initially the target of a bomb attack. On condition of anonymity, a federal police official who linked the assault to IS told AFP that it was followed by "a frontal attack with small arms" close to the town of Chalal al-Matar. The attack's perpetrators were not immediately identified by any organisation. "An assailant has been killed and we are looking for the others," the officer said, adding that two policemen were also wounded in the attack. Seven police, including one officer, were killed in the incident, according to a Ministry of Interior spokesman in Baghdad. IS took huge portions of Iraqi and Syrian territory starting in 2014, establishing a barbaric "caliphate," which they ruled until they were routed by Iraqi forces supported by a US-led military coalition in late 2017. Also read | US to send Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine: All you need to know Near the Iraqi border, IS lost their final stronghold in Syria in 2019. Up until December of last year, the US-led anti-IS coalition retained a combat presence in Iraq, but some 2,500 American soldiers are still stationed there as trainers. But there are still active IS relics across Iraq. Security forces in Baghdad are still engaged in counterterrorism operations against the organisation, and news of the deaths of IS fighters in bombings and raids is frequently released. Also watch | NATO: Russia's President Putin is planning for long war; Putin meets top military brass Despite the losses that have reduced IS to a shell of its former self, a UN study published earlier this year stated that the organisation can still depend on an underground network of between 6,000 and 10,000 militants to carry out assaults on both sides of the porous Iraqi-Syrian border. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Iraq: At least seven police officials killed near Kirkuk in suspected IS attacks

In an early Sunday morning helicopter assault in eastern Syria, the US killed two ISIS leaders, according to a statement from US Central Command.

According to CENTCOM, the attack was a unilateral US action that had "considerable preparation," and the first findings indicated that no civilians were killed or hurt.

"Anas," a local ISIS leader active in organising activities in eastern Syria, was one of the officials killed.

“The death of these ISIS officials will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out destabilizing attacks in the Middle East,” said Central Command spokesman Col. Joe Buccino.

The US reaffirmed that it was dedicated to the fight against ISIS "in conjunction with local forces," notwithstanding recent Turkish operations in northern Syria that targeted Kurdish troops, putting US people at danger and posing a destabilisation threat.

The death of ISIS commander Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al- Qurayshi was praised by the US two weeks ago. Unlike the previous commander, Hajji Abdullah, who died in a US raid in February, he was not assassinated by American forces.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In an early Sunday morning helicopter assault in eastern Syria, the US killed two ISIS leaders, according to a statement from US Central Command. According to CENTCOM, the attack was a unilateral US action that had "considerable preparation," and the first findings indicated that no civilians were killed or hurt.

In an early Sunday morning helicopter assault in eastern Syria, the US killed two ISIS leaders, according to a statement from US Central Command. According to CENTCOM, the attack was a unilateral US action that had "considerable preparation," and the first findings indicated that no civilians were killed or hurt. "Anas," a local ISIS leader active in organising activities in eastern Syria, was one of the officials killed. “The death of these ISIS officials will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out destabilizing attacks in the Middle East,” said Central Command spokesman Col. Joe Buccino. The US reaffirmed that it was dedicated to the fight against ISIS "in conjunction with local forces," notwithstanding recent Turkish operations in northern Syria that targeted Kurdish troops, putting US people at danger and posing a destabilisation threat. The death of ISIS commander Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al- Qurayshi was praised by the US two weeks ago. Unlike the previous commander, Hajji Abdullah, who died in a US raid in February, he was not assassinated by American forces. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Two ISIS officials killed by the US in helicopter raid in eastern Syria

In Syria, after more than a decade of civil war, the narcotics business had taken place to thrive in the country already struggling. The Captagon drug has turned Syria into the world's latest narco state. Watch this video to know more.

How Captagon is turning Syria into a 'narco-state'?

Captagon is an amphetamine drug which was once prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy and attention disorder. However, the once–legal drug has now turned into one of the major exports of Syria and according to AFP, the narcotics industry in the war-torn country is currently worth more than $10 billion. In the past decade, the nerve stimulant became quite popular among the Islamic State (IS) fighters and with the government possibly involved in its trade, Captagon is drug of choice for Syria.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;The drug, which has earned the nickname "Abu al-hilalain" (two crescent moons) due to its trademark logo, is available for a few dollars in the market. While the premium products can command a price in excess of $25, the normal quality tablets can be found easily for anything between $5 and $10.&nbsp;

Syria has been the center of a major civil war for the past decade and with labour-intensive jobs dominating the market, the demand for the pill has also gone up. Most users of Captagon told AFP that they used to battle exhaustion and to increase their stamina in order to work for more hours in a day.&nbsp;

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When it comes to the distribution of Captagon, the fingers are mainly pointed towards the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad. Sources once close to the government said that Assad’s brother Maher as well as the Iran-backed Hezbollah group play major roles in carrying out the trade.&nbsp;

Similar accusations were also levelled by the British Army-linked CHACR think tank and the independent Center for Operations Analysis and Research (COAR). However, with nearly all parties enjoying the profits from the drug trade, it has grown exponentially in the past decade in Syria.&nbsp;

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Captagon is an amphetamine drug which was once prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy and attention disorder. However, the once–legal drug has now turned into one of the major exports of Syria and according to AFP, the narcotics industry in the war-torn country is currently worth more than $10 billion.

Captagon is an amphetamine drug which was once prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy and attention disorder. However, the once–legal drug has now turned into one of the major exports of Syria and according to AFP, the narcotics industry in the war-torn country is currently worth more than $10 billion. In the past decade, the nerve stimulant became quite popular among the Islamic State (IS) fighters and with the government possibly involved in its trade, Captagon is drug of choice for Syria. Also read | Iran executes second protester in less than a week The drug, which has earned the nickname "Abu al-hilalain" (two crescent moons) due to its trademark logo, is available for a few dollars in the market. While the premium products can command a price in excess of $25, the normal quality tablets can be found easily for anything between $5 and $10. Syria has been the center of a major civil war for the past decade and with labour-intensive jobs dominating the market, the demand for the pill has also gone up. Most users of Captagon told AFP that they used to battle exhaustion and to increase their stamina in order to work for more hours in a day. Also read | Wagner headquarters hit by Ukrainian strike, regional official claims When it comes to the distribution of Captagon, the fingers are mainly pointed towards the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad. Sources once close to the government said that Assad’s brother Maher as well as the Iran-backed Hezbollah group play major roles in carrying out the trade. Similar accusations were also levelled by the British Army-linked CHACR think tank and the independent Center for Operations Analysis and Research (COAR). However, with nearly all parties enjoying the profits from the drug trade, it has grown exponentially in the past decade in Syria.

Captagon: The one drug turning war-torn Syria into a narco state

Syria continues to reel under worsening economic crisis. Angry protesters in Sweida city hit the streets and barge into Governor's office. Ghadi Francis tells us about the situation.

The West Asia Post: Anti-govt protests rock Syria

The economic hardships of the war-torn nation have stoked resentment in the southern metropolis. A big image of President Bashar Assad was pulled down from the exterior of a government building by protesters after they invaded the structure. In the southern Syrian city of Sweida, one protester and one policeman were murdered on Sunday when security forces put down a large-scale demonstration.

Syria: 2 dead as protesters clash with police, storm governor's office in Sweida

Dozens of protesters in Syria’s southern city of Sweida stormed the governor’s office, on Sunday, over worsening economic conditions in the country. Subsequently, the demonstration turned violent and led to the death of a protester and a police officer while at least seven others were injured, according to reports.&nbsp;

Notably, anti-government protests are rare in Syria since President Bashar Assad took over more than a decade ago. A report by Reuters citing witnesses said that more than 200 people had gathered around the building in the Druze-majority province calling to overthrow the Syrian president amid worsening economic conditions, food security and the energy crisis the country is witnessing.&nbsp;

Subsequently, some people broke into the Sweida governorate building and burnt files and official papers, reported the Syrian state media. Meanwhile, the country’s Interior Minister in a statement said that those who raided the building were armed, destroyed windows and looted files. He also confirmed that at least one officer was killed following an attack by the protesters at a police station.&nbsp;

Three witnesses told Reuters that the governor was not in the building at the time of the attack and was evacuated before the protesters stormed the office. Furthermore, citing hospital sources the report also confirmed the death of one civilian from gunshot wounds. It added that another person is being treated after being shot.&nbsp;

“There is a large deployment of security forces in the area, and you can still hear gunshots,” said Rayan Maalouf, the head of the Suwayda 24 collective to the Associated Press. The United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also confirmed that the police had fired ammunition at the protesters gathered.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
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Dozens of protesters in Syria’s southern city of Sweida stormed the governor’s office, on Sunday, over worsening economic conditions in the country. Subsequently, the demonstration turned violent and led to the death of a protester and a police officer while at least seven others were injured, according to reports.

Dozens of protesters in Syria’s southern city of Sweida stormed the governor’s office, on Sunday, over worsening economic conditions in the country. Subsequently, the demonstration turned violent and led to the death of a protester and a police officer while at least seven others were injured, according to reports. Notably, anti-government protests are rare in Syria since President Bashar Assad took over more than a decade ago. A report by Reuters citing witnesses said that more than 200 people had gathered around the building in the Druze-majority province calling to overthrow the Syrian president amid worsening economic conditions, food security and the energy crisis the country is witnessing. Subsequently, some people broke into the Sweida governorate building and burnt files and official papers, reported the Syrian state media. Meanwhile, the country’s Interior Minister in a statement said that those who raided the building were armed, destroyed windows and looted files. He also confirmed that at least one officer was killed following an attack by the protesters at a police station. Three witnesses told Reuters that the governor was not in the building at the time of the attack and was evacuated before the protesters stormed the office. Furthermore, citing hospital sources the report also confirmed the death of one civilian from gunshot wounds. It added that another person is being treated after being shot. “There is a large deployment of security forces in the area, and you can still hear gunshots,” said Rayan Maalouf, the head of the Suwayda 24 collective to the Associated Press. The United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also confirmed that the police had fired ammunition at the protesters gathered. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

At least two killed, seven injured in Syria after protesters storm governor’s office

The Pentagon has said that US defense secretary Lloyd Austin has spoken with his Turkish counterpart and expressed opposition to Turkiye launching a new operation in Syria.

Washington warns against Syrian incursion, Pentagon chief cautions Turkiye on strikes

After relentless airstrikes against Kurdish groups, Turkiye is soon going to launch a ground offensive in Syria. Ghadi Francis tells us more.

The West Asia Post: Turkiye intensifies attacks on Kurdish groups

Why have Syria Kurds halted all joint counter-terrorism operations with the US-led coalition?

Turkiye's defence minister held a meeting with the commander-in-chief for the armed forces on Monday. According to the Turkiye's officials, Turkish army needs just a few days to be ready for ground operations into northern Syria.

Turkish forces nearly ready for a Syrian incursion -officials

Turkish President Recep Erdogan said on Monday (November 28) that nobody should be "disturbed" by the country's military operations into Syria, which are aimed at expanding its circle of security and peace. He reiterated the nation's determination to form a 30-kilometre-long security corridor along the southern border with Syria.&nbsp;

Erdogan recently said that the Turkish military could launch ground operations in northern Syria and Iraq besides the air campaigns.&nbsp;

But Russia urged Turkey to exercise "restraint" and warned against "destabilising" Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said that Moscow understands Turkey's concerns regarding its security, but also called on all parties to refrain from steps that could lead to "seriously destabilising the situation".&nbsp;

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Erdogan said, "Nobody should be disturbed by Turkey's military operations aimed at expanding its circle of security and peace. Because in the history of this country, there is no colonisation, no brutality, no selfishness, and there is no cruelty."&nbsp;

Turkey also carried out strategic air strikes against the bases of Kurdish militants across northern Syria and Iraq. Erdogan's administration claimed that those bases were used to launch "terrorist" attacks on Turkish soil.&nbsp;

The strikes came a week after a bomb attack in Istanbul killed six people and left 81 wounded, which Ankara blamed on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). But the Kurdish groups and authorities have denied the allegations.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Iranian regime won't spare its own kin?&nbsp;

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While speaking after a cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, the Turkish president further said: "The due date of these terrorists has now passed as their concrete tunnels in which they take refuge today, will soon become their graves."&nbsp;

"Neither the countries they trust so much, nor the terror barons who put their lives on the market will be able to save them from the tragic fate that awaits at the end," he added.&nbsp;

Turkish officials said that the army just needs a few days to prepare for a ground incursion into northern Syria. A concrete decision regarding this was expected to come at a cabinet meeting on Monday.&nbsp;

But, Erdogan did not directly address it. But it is said that a formal decision might be anounced after the cabinet meeting.&nbsp;

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Turkish President Recep Erdogan said on Monday (November 28) that nobody should be "disturbed" by the country's military operations into Syria, which are aimed at expanding its circle of security and peace.

Turkish President Recep Erdogan said on Monday (November 28) that nobody should be "disturbed" by the country's military operations into Syria, which are aimed at expanding its circle of security and peace. He reiterated the nation's determination to form a 30-kilometre-long security corridor along the southern border with Syria. Erdogan recently said that the Turkish military could launch ground operations in northern Syria and Iraq besides the air campaigns. But Russia urged Turkey to exercise "restraint" and warned against "destabilising" Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said that Moscow understands Turkey's concerns regarding its security, but also called on all parties to refrain from steps that could lead to "seriously destabilising the situation". ALSO READ | United Nations calls on Chinese government to respect right to peaceful protests Erdogan said, "Nobody should be disturbed by Turkey's military operations aimed at expanding its circle of security and peace. Because in the history of this country, there is no colonisation, no brutality, no selfishness, and there is no cruelty." Turkey also carried out strategic air strikes against the bases of Kurdish militants across northern Syria and Iraq. Erdogan's administration claimed that those bases were used to launch "terrorist" attacks on Turkish soil. The strikes came a week after a bomb attack in Istanbul killed six people and left 81 wounded, which Ankara blamed on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). But the Kurdish groups and authorities have denied the allegations. WATCH | Gravitas: Iranian regime won't spare its own kin? × While speaking after a cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, the Turkish president further said: "The due date of these terrorists has now passed as their concrete tunnels in which they take refuge today, will soon become their graves." "Neither the countries they trust so much, nor the terror barons who put their lives on the market will be able to save them from the tragic fate that awaits at the end," he added. Turkish officials said that the army just needs a few days to prepare for a ground incursion into northern Syria. A concrete decision regarding this was expected to come at a cabinet meeting on Monday. But, Erdogan did not directly address it. But it is said that a formal decision might be anounced after the cabinet meeting. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Erdogan says that nobody should be 'disturbed' by Turkey's military operations

As tens of thousands of refugees shiver in the cold on Turkey’s borders with Europe and a new phase of the brutal Syrian war erupts - Russia, Turkey, the European Union (EU) and the international community are being presented with the bill for a flawed, short-term approach to the nine-year-old conflict that largely lacked empathy for millions of victims and was likely to magnify rather than resolve problems.

The failure of Western policymakers to adopt an approach that would have served Europe’s longer-term security interests and sought to end Syria’s suffering in ways that may have held out the promise of a sustainable resolution of the conflict is compounded by the failure to exploit what was always a fragile alliance between Russia and NATO-member Turkey.

With that alliance under strain, both in Syria, where Russia has warned that it cannot guarantee the safety of Turkish aircraft in Syrian airspace, and in Libya, where the two allies support opposing sides, multiple regional conflicts have begun to mesh.

Some analysts have suggested that Russia was seeking to enlist the support of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in Syria so that it could dump Turkey with which it is on the brink of military blows. The two Gulf states oppose Turkish ambitions in the Middle East and beyond.

The analysts point to recent contacts between Emirati, Russian and Syrian officials and the establishment of relations between Syria and Libya’s UAE and Russian-backed rebel force led by renegade commander Khalifa Haftar.

The various manoeuvres constitute variations on a theme.

The international community, including Russia, did little in the early years of the war to stop militant groups and regional powers from contributing to the violence by exploiting Syria’s power vacuum to their immediate advantage. That changed selectively when the Islamic State gained a territorial foothold in Syria and Iraq.

Similarly, much of the international community falsely assumed that a Syrian victory in Idlib, Syria’s last rebel stronghold, would create a fait accompli that Turkey would accept and that would pave the way to an end to the war and reconstruction.

Like in much of the Middle East where a failure to put one’s ears to the ground and hear the widespread discontent simmering at the surface that produced a decade of revolution and brutal counterrevolution, neither Russia nor its detractors read the writing on Syria’s walls.

If militants and external powers turned what started in 2011 as peaceful protests demanding reform rather than the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the international community failed to recognise that nine years later criticism of the regime is widespread among an impoverished population traumatised by war.

Rather than creating an environment for reconciliation and reconstruction, Russian-supported Syrian military successes in retaking territory from rebels by force or in negotiated handovers have not been accompanied by a relieving of economic and social hardship, sparking intermittent anti-government protests and stepped up repression.

Much of the criticism focuses on the government’s failure to improve economic and living conditions, but like in the early days of the popular revolt, shies away from calls for regime change.

The improbability of a Russian-Syrian military victory putting Syria on a road towards peaceful resolution and recovery is highlighted by the fact that snap polling suggests that less than ten per cent of the millions of Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons would be willing to return to or remain in a country that continues to be ruled by Al-Assad and his regime.

As a result, Russia and Al-Assad appear to have adopted the kind of scorched earth policy that Israel’s military rejected in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian intifada or uprising.

In contrast to the military that told then Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin that the resolution needed to be political because the cost of a military solution would be too high, Russia and Al-Assad have concluded that no cost is too high. It is an approach that emulates Russia’s brutal crushing of rebellions in Chechnya in the 1990s.

“Russia realised that it cannot cement its military victories into permanent political gains through diplomacy within the projected remaining lifetime of the regime. Instead, it decided to employ the ‘Grozny doctrine’ of complete annihilation of all those who stand in the way of its strategic goals and bring the conflict to an end before the regime collapses,” said Syrian activist Labib al-Nahhas De La Ossa, referring to the Chechen capital that was virtually destroyed by Russian forces.

It's an approach that in violation of international law takes no heed of the consequences for innocent millions in Idlib or the fact that many, rather than supporting Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an erstwhile Al-Qaeda affiliate that controls part of the province, have repeatedly protested against it.

It's also an approach that potentially could spark a renewed refugee crisis in Europe with Turkey, already home to some four million refugees, no longer stopping fleeing Syrians and others from trying to cross its Greek and Bulgarian borders with the European Union.

Russia, in a cynical twist of irony, would likely be happy to see a repeat of the 2015 refugee crisis that fuelled support for far-right, anti-immigration and nativist forces in Europe who are empathetic to Moscow’s effort to weaken the trans-Atlantic alliance as well as the European Union with its adherence to Western values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Even with that being the case, Russian policy towards Idlib and the rest of Syria is likely to only produce problematic outcomes: ensuring total victory for Al-Assad risks a break-up with Turkey, a key regional player, and forecloses chances for a sustainable resolution of the Syrian conflict that would allow for the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons.

Continued Russian and Iranian-backed support for Al-Assad’s brutal regime will at best temporarily stabilise Syria and potentially open the door to a forced return of some refugees and displaced persons while setting the stage for another round of conflict.

An equally unsustainable alternative scenario, envisioned by De La Ossa, would involve a Russian-Turkish agreement to cram three million refugees into a tiny slice of Idlib in what would amount to sub-human conditions.

Said De La Ossa: “The humanitarian catastrophe that is Idlib has shown that the lessons from the beginning of World War II still apply: Appeasing dictators who are willing to kill massive numbers of people to realise their delusions of grandeur never works. But if the US, Europe, and the international community at large fail to heed these lessons, it will not only be Syrians who pay the price. “ 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

As tens of thousands of refugees shiver in the cold on Turkey’s borders with Europe and a new phase of the brutal Syrian war erupts - Russia, Turkey, the European Union (EU) and the international community are being presented with the bill for a flawed, short-term approach to the nine-year-old conflict that largely lacked empathy for millions of victims and was likely to magnify rather than resolve problems.

As tens of thousands of refugees shiver in the cold on Turkey’s borders with Europe and a new phase of the brutal Syrian war erupts - Russia, Turkey, the European Union (EU) and the international community are being presented with the bill for a flawed, short-term approach to the nine-year-old conflict that largely lacked empathy for millions of victims and was likely to magnify rather than resolve problems. The failure of Western policymakers to adopt an approach that would have served Europe’s longer-term security interests and sought to end Syria’s suffering in ways that may have held out the promise of a sustainable resolution of the conflict is compounded by the failure to exploit what was always a fragile alliance between Russia and NATO-member Turkey. With that alliance under strain, both in Syria, where Russia has warned that it cannot guarantee the safety of Turkish aircraft in Syrian airspace, and in Libya, where the two allies support opposing sides, multiple regional conflicts have begun to mesh. Some analysts have suggested that Russia was seeking to enlist the support of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in Syria so that it could dump Turkey with which it is on the brink of military blows. The two Gulf states oppose Turkish ambitions in the Middle East and beyond. The analysts point to recent contacts between Emirati, Russian and Syrian officials and the establishment of relations between Syria and Libya’s UAE and Russian-backed rebel force led by renegade commander Khalifa Haftar. The various manoeuvres constitute variations on a theme. The international community, including Russia, did little in the early years of the war to stop militant groups and regional powers from contributing to the violence by exploiting Syria’s power vacuum to their immediate advantage. That changed selectively when the Islamic State gained a territorial foothold in Syria and Iraq. Similarly, much of the international community falsely assumed that a Syrian victory in Idlib, Syria’s last rebel stronghold, would create a fait accompli that Turkey would accept and that would pave the way to an end to the war and reconstruction. Like in much of the Middle East where a failure to put one’s ears to the ground and hear the widespread discontent simmering at the surface that produced a decade of revolution and brutal counterrevolution, neither Russia nor its detractors read the writing on Syria’s walls. If militants and external powers turned what started in 2011 as peaceful protests demanding reform rather than the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the international community failed to recognise that nine years later criticism of the regime is widespread among an impoverished population traumatised by war. Rather than creating an environment for reconciliation and reconstruction, Russian-supported Syrian military successes in retaking territory from rebels by force or in negotiated handovers have not been accompanied by a relieving of economic and social hardship, sparking intermittent anti-government protests and stepped up repression. Much of the criticism focuses on the government’s failure to improve economic and living conditions, but like in the early days of the popular revolt, shies away from calls for regime change. The improbability of a Russian-Syrian military victory putting Syria on a road towards peaceful resolution and recovery is highlighted by the fact that snap polling suggests that less than ten per cent of the millions of Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons would be willing to return to or remain in a country that continues to be ruled by Al-Assad and his regime. As a result, Russia and Al-Assad appear to have adopted the kind of scorched earth policy that Israel’s military rejected in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian intifada or uprising. In contrast to the military that told then Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin that the resolution needed to be political because the cost of a military solution would be too high, Russia and Al-Assad have concluded that no cost is too high. It is an approach that emulates Russia’s brutal crushing of rebellions in Chechnya in the 1990s. “Russia realised that it cannot cement its military victories into permanent political gains through diplomacy within the projected remaining lifetime of the regime. Instead, it decided to employ the ‘Grozny doctrine’ of complete annihilation of all those who stand in the way of its strategic goals and bring the conflict to an end before the regime collapses,” said Syrian activist Labib al-Nahhas De La Ossa, referring to the Chechen capital that was virtually destroyed by Russian forces. It's an approach that in violation of international law takes no heed of the consequences for innocent millions in Idlib or the fact that many, rather than supporting Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an erstwhile Al-Qaeda affiliate that controls part of the province, have repeatedly protested against it. It's also an approach that potentially could spark a renewed refugee crisis in Europe with Turkey, already home to some four million refugees, no longer stopping fleeing Syrians and others from trying to cross its Greek and Bulgarian borders with the European Union. Russia, in a cynical twist of irony, would likely be happy to see a repeat of the 2015 refugee crisis that fuelled support for far-right, anti-immigration and nativist forces in Europe who are empathetic to Moscow’s effort to weaken the trans-Atlantic alliance as well as the European Union with its adherence to Western values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Even with that being the case, Russian policy towards Idlib and the rest of Syria is likely to only produce problematic outcomes: ensuring total victory for Al-Assad risks a break-up with Turkey, a key regional player, and forecloses chances for a sustainable resolution of the Syrian conflict that would allow for the voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons. Continued Russian and Iranian-backed support for Al-Assad’s brutal regime will at best temporarily stabilise Syria and potentially open the door to a forced return of some refugees and displaced persons while setting the stage for another round of conflict. An equally unsustainable alternative scenario, envisioned by De La Ossa, would involve a Russian-Turkish agreement to cram three million refugees into a tiny slice of Idlib in what would amount to sub-human conditions. Said De La Ossa: “The humanitarian catastrophe that is Idlib has shown that the lessons from the beginning of World War II still apply: Appeasing dictators who are willing to kill massive numbers of people to realise their delusions of grandeur never works. But if the US, Europe, and the international community at large fail to heed these lessons, it will not only be Syrians who pay the price. “ (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

War threatens to spill beyond Syria’s borders

A United States patrol base was attacked by two rockets targeted at the coalition forces in Syria, said a statement by the US central command (CENTCOM), on Friday. The base was located in Al-Shaddadi and the attack took place at approximately 10:31 pm (local time in Syria), it added. This comes amid the recent escalation and a wave of rocket attacks along the Syria-Turkiye border.&nbsp;

“The attack resulted in no injuries or damage to the base or coalition property,” said the statement by CENTCOM. The Kurdish People’s Protection Units or the YPG-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been Washington’s key ally in the fight against ISIL (ISIS) group in the region. The SDF, after the rocket attacks, visited the origin site and found a third unfired rocket, said the officials, without disclosing who was behind the firing.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-people-killed-several-wounded-after-rocket-strikes-by-kurdish-militants-in-syria-turkiye-536157">At least two people killed, several wounded after rocket strikes by Kurdish militants in Syria: Turkiye</a>

Meanwhile, the recent escalation in the region is marked by an increase in the number of air raids and rocket attacks between Syria-Turkiye following the bombing in Istanbul on November 13. The bombing had reportedly killed six people and injured 80, for which Ankara blames the Kurdish groups in Syria.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-launches-airstrikes-over-northern-syria-535708">Turkey launches airstrikes over northern Syria</a>

Subsequently, Turkiye said that it had launched airstrikes on&nbsp;nearly 90 targets which were destroyed by its warplanes. According to authorities in Ankara, they killed several people who they refer to as “terrorists”. At least 31 people were killed in these strikes, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ankara-launches-bomb-strikes-over-northern-syria-after-istanbul-bomb-blast-535695">Türkiye launches air raids against Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq, 31 dead</a>

On the other hand, suspected Kurdish militants in Syria fired rockets across the border killing at least two people and injuring approximately 10 people, said officials in Turkiye&nbsp;last week. “Attacks of this kind place coalition forces and the civilian populace at risk and undermine the hard-earned stability and security of Syria and the region,” said CENTCOM spokesman, Colonel Joe Buccino in a statement.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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A United States patrol base was attacked by two rockets targeted at the coalition forces in Syria, said a statement by the US central command (CENTCOM), on Friday.

A United States patrol base was attacked by two rockets targeted at the coalition forces in Syria, said a statement by the US central command (CENTCOM), on Friday. The base was located in Al-Shaddadi and the attack took place at approximately 10:31 pm (local time in Syria), it added. This comes amid the recent escalation and a wave of rocket attacks along the Syria-Turkiye border. “The attack resulted in no injuries or damage to the base or coalition property,” said the statement by CENTCOM. The Kurdish People’s Protection Units or the YPG-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have been Washington’s key ally in the fight against ISIL (ISIS) group in the region. The SDF, after the rocket attacks, visited the origin site and found a third unfired rocket, said the officials, without disclosing who was behind the firing. ALSO READ | At least two people killed, several wounded after rocket strikes by Kurdish militants in Syria: Turkiye Meanwhile, the recent escalation in the region is marked by an increase in the number of air raids and rocket attacks between Syria-Turkiye following the bombing in Istanbul on November 13. The bombing had reportedly killed six people and injured 80, for which Ankara blames the Kurdish groups in Syria. ALSO WATCH | Turkey launches airstrikes over northern Syria Subsequently, Turkiye said that it had launched airstrikes on nearly 90 targets which were destroyed by its warplanes. According to authorities in Ankara, they killed several people who they refer to as “terrorists”. At least 31 people were killed in these strikes, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group. ALSO READ | Türkiye launches air raids against Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq, 31 dead On the other hand, suspected Kurdish militants in Syria fired rockets across the border killing at least two people and injuring approximately 10 people, said officials in Turkiye last week. “Attacks of this kind place coalition forces and the civilian populace at risk and undermine the hard-earned stability and security of Syria and the region,” said CENTCOM spokesman, Colonel Joe Buccino in a statement. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

‘No injures or damage’: US military after rocket attack on patrol base in Syria

Turkey has hit Syria with a barrage of retaliatory shelling - the aftermath of Istanbul bombing - in the form of airstrikes which targeted Kurdish forces controlling the northern Syrian Al-Hol detention camp. According to a British-based war monitoring body, the Turkish planes launched the airstrike on the exterior of the camp.

Turkiye launches fresh airstrikes in Syria's detention camp, targets Kurdish groups

A bomb blast&nbsp;in Syria killed an Iranian&nbsp;Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Colonel Davoud Jafari. According to local media reports citing the Guards, Jafari was one of Iran's military advisers in Syria as well as a member of the Guards’ aerospace arm. They also blamed the attack on Israel and reportedly warned that Israel will have to answer for their “crimes”.&nbsp;

The incident took place on Monday when Jafari was killed by a “makeshift bomb planted by the roadside near Damascus, by associates of the Zionist (Israeli) regime”, said the Guards in a statement. Reportedly,&nbsp;Tehran and Israel have long waged a shadow war of attacks including assassinations and acts of sabotage against each other.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/exclusive-india-stood-with-us-in-difficult-times-syrian-foreign-minister-fayssal-mekdad-535898">Exclusive | India stood with us in difficult times: Syrian foreign minister Fayssal Mekdad</a>

During Syria’s 11-year civil war, Iran has been a supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad and while Tehran has long claimed that it plays only a military advisory role in Syria, reports suggest that they have sent thousands of Iran-backed soldiers to fight alongside Assad’s forces.&nbsp;

On the other hand, Israeli officials said that they will work on preventing Iran’s entrenchment in Syria, especially near the south of the border as well as stop them from supplying advanced tech and weapons to the Iran-allied terror groups, such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-launches-airstrikes-over-northern-syria-535708">Turkey launches airstrikes over northern Syria</a>

Israel has also reportedly carried out several strikes in Syria in the past couple of months which it rarely comments on but has previously acknowledged hundreds of air and missile strikes in Syria on both government and Iran-backed forces in the region since the civil war broke out 11 years ago.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/node/535652">Four Syrian soldiers killed, one wounded after Israeli airstrikes: Report</a>

Earlier this year, the Guards had alleged that two of its high-ranking officers were killed in an Israeli attack in Syria. Recently, Syria has also accused the Israeli military of carrying out missile strikes over the weekend which allegedly killed four soldiers and left one wounded.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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A bomb blast in Syria killed an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Colonel Davoud Jafari. According to local media reports citing the Guards, Jafari was one of Iran's military advisers in Syria as well as a member of the Guards’ aerospace arm.

A bomb blast in Syria killed an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Colonel Davoud Jafari. According to local media reports citing the Guards, Jafari was one of Iran's military advisers in Syria as well as a member of the Guards’ aerospace arm. They also blamed the attack on Israel and reportedly warned that Israel will have to answer for their “crimes”. The incident took place on Monday when Jafari was killed by a “makeshift bomb planted by the roadside near Damascus, by associates of the Zionist (Israeli) regime”, said the Guards in a statement. Reportedly, Tehran and Israel have long waged a shadow war of attacks including assassinations and acts of sabotage against each other. ALSO READ: Exclusive | India stood with us in difficult times: Syrian foreign minister Fayssal Mekdad During Syria’s 11-year civil war, Iran has been a supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad and while Tehran has long claimed that it plays only a military advisory role in Syria, reports suggest that they have sent thousands of Iran-backed soldiers to fight alongside Assad’s forces. On the other hand, Israeli officials said that they will work on preventing Iran’s entrenchment in Syria, especially near the south of the border as well as stop them from supplying advanced tech and weapons to the Iran-allied terror groups, such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah. ALSO WATCH: Turkey launches airstrikes over northern Syria Israel has also reportedly carried out several strikes in Syria in the past couple of months which it rarely comments on but has previously acknowledged hundreds of air and missile strikes in Syria on both government and Iran-backed forces in the region since the civil war broke out 11 years ago. ALSO READ: Four Syrian soldiers killed, one wounded after Israeli airstrikes: Report Earlier this year, the Guards had alleged that two of its high-ranking officers were killed in an Israeli attack in Syria. Recently, Syria has also accused the Israeli military of carrying out missile strikes over the weekend which allegedly killed four soldiers and left one wounded. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iranian colonel killed by bomb blast in Syria; Tehran blames Israel, vows to take revenge

A rocket attack on the Turkish proxy force-held city of Azaz in northwest Syria on Tuesday left five civilians dead. As per different accounts,&nbsp;three to five others were seriously injured in the attack.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as per AFP said that one child was among the dead in the attack that targeted a market in the city.

Watch |&nbsp;Turkiye President Erdogan threatens ground operation into Syria

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A Reuters report quoting an activist reported that the dead include a child and four men.

While the report fails to verify the source of the attack, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims that the rockets were fired from northern Aleppo province, an area that is controlled by the Syrian regime and Kurdish forces.&nbsp;

However, the monitor did not specify who carried out the attack.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/middle-east/kurdish-base-used-by-us-led-coalition-in-northern-syria-hit-by-turkish-drone-536467">Kurdish base used by US-led coalition in northern Syria hit by Turkish drone</a>

The incident follows Turkish drone and warplane attacks on the Kurdish YPG militia in Syria in the last few days as Turkey and the YPG escalated tit-for-tat strikes that resulted in civilian deaths on both sides of the border.

The Observatory, which has a vast network of sources inside Syria, reported earlier on Tuesday that three Syrian government soldiers were killed and others were injured during Turkish bombardments of an air base several kilometres south of Azaz.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-strikes-kurdish-groups-in-iraq-in-fresh-overnight-attacks-535955">Iran strikes Kurdish groups in Iraq in fresh overnight attacks, one dead</a>

In the meantime, two fighters from the Kurdish-led forces were killed in northeastern Syria after a Turkish drone attack targeted a base shared by Kurdish forces and a US-led coalition against Islamic State extremists.

In what it has dubbed Operation Claw-Sword, Ankara launched a series of airstrikes on Sunday, hitting dozens of Kurdish targets throughout Iraq and Syria.

Ankara said that the operation over the weekend was in reprisal for a bombing last week in Istanbul that left six people dead and was attributed to extremists by the police. Nobody has taken the blame, and both the PKK and SDF have said they are not involved.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A rocket attack on the Turkish proxy force-held city of Azaz in northwest Syria on Tuesday left five civilians dead. As per different accounts, three to five others were seriously injured in the attack.

A rocket attack on the Turkish proxy force-held city of Azaz in northwest Syria on Tuesday left five civilians dead. As per different accounts, three to five others were seriously injured in the attack. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as per AFP said that one child was among the dead in the attack that targeted a market in the city. Watch | Turkiye President Erdogan threatens ground operation into Syria A Reuters report quoting an activist reported that the dead include a child and four men. While the report fails to verify the source of the attack, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims that the rockets were fired from northern Aleppo province, an area that is controlled by the Syrian regime and Kurdish forces. However, the monitor did not specify who carried out the attack. Also read | Kurdish base used by US-led coalition in northern Syria hit by Turkish drone The incident follows Turkish drone and warplane attacks on the Kurdish YPG militia in Syria in the last few days as Turkey and the YPG escalated tit-for-tat strikes that resulted in civilian deaths on both sides of the border. The Observatory, which has a vast network of sources inside Syria, reported earlier on Tuesday that three Syrian government soldiers were killed and others were injured during Turkish bombardments of an air base several kilometres south of Azaz. Also read | Iran strikes Kurdish groups in Iraq in fresh overnight attacks, one dead In the meantime, two fighters from the Kurdish-led forces were killed in northeastern Syria after a Turkish drone attack targeted a base shared by Kurdish forces and a US-led coalition against Islamic State extremists. In what it has dubbed Operation Claw-Sword, Ankara launched a series of airstrikes on Sunday, hitting dozens of Kurdish targets throughout Iraq and Syria. Ankara said that the operation over the weekend was in reprisal for a bombing last week in Istanbul that left six people dead and was attributed to extremists by the police. Nobody has taken the blame, and both the PKK and SDF have said they are not involved. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Five people, including a child, killed by rocket attack in Northern Syrian city of Azaz

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said Wednesday that Turkey's military had hit nearly 500 Kurdish targets across Iraq and Syria as part of an air strikes’ campaign.&nbsp;“So far, 471 targets have been struck and 254 terrorists were neutralised in the operation,” Akar was quoted as saying by the official Anadolu news agency.

Ankara began the series of air strikes as part of Operation Claw-Sword on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/operation-claw-sword-strikes-syria-ahead-of-turkiyes-general-elections-535913">WATCH |&nbsp;Operation-claw-sword strikes Syria ahead of Turkiye's general elections</a>

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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday threatened to launch a ground&nbsp;operation&nbsp; in&nbsp;Syria "with tanks and soldiers" in defiance of international pressure not to do so.

Turkey's air raids followed a bombing in Istanbul on November 13 that killed six people and wounded 81.

Turkey blamed the attack on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is blacklisted as a terror group by the European Union and the United States.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ankara-launches-bomb-strikes-over-northern-syria-after-istanbul-bomb-blast-535695">Read more:&nbsp;Türkiye launches air raids against Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq, 31 dead</a>

The PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, denied any role in the bombing -- the deadliest in five years after a spate of attacks in Turkey between 2015 and 2017.

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Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said Wednesday that Turkey's military had hit nearly 500 Kurdish targets across Iraq and Syria as part of an air strikes’ campaign.

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said Wednesday that Turkey's military had hit nearly 500 Kurdish targets across Iraq and Syria as part of an air strikes’ campaign. “So far, 471 targets have been struck and 254 terrorists were neutralised in the operation,” Akar was quoted as saying by the official Anadolu news agency. Ankara began the series of air strikes as part of Operation Claw-Sword on Sunday. WATCH | Operation-claw-sword strikes Syria ahead of Turkiye's general elections × President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday threatened to launch a ground operation in Syria "with tanks and soldiers" in defiance of international pressure not to do so. Turkey's air raids followed a bombing in Istanbul on November 13 that killed six people and wounded 81. Turkey blamed the attack on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is blacklisted as a terror group by the European Union and the United States. Read more: Türkiye launches air raids against Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq, 31 dead The PKK, which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, denied any role in the bombing -- the deadliest in five years after a spate of attacks in Turkey between 2015 and 2017. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Nearly 500 Kurdish targets hit in Iraq and Syria, 254 terrorists killed, claims Turkey's defence minister

Russia on Tuesday (November 22) warned Turkiye against "destabilising" Syria. Turkiye has carried out air strikes against Kurdish fighters and has also threatened to launch ground offensive.

"We understand and respect Turkey's concerns regarding its own security. We believe this is the legal right of Turkey," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"We still call on all parties to refrain from steps that could lead to seriously destabilising the situation," he said.

He added that it could "boomerang back and further complicate the security situation".

Turkiye on Sunday (November 20) launched air raids against Kurdish militants across northern Syria and Iraq. According to Britain-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights, at least 37 people were killed in the strikes.

On Monday, strikes from Syria killed at least two people, including a child, in the Turkish border town of Karkamis.

The Kremlin's comments came as representatives from Russia, Turkey and Iran -- major players in the war in Syria -- meet in the Kazakh capital Astana for trilateral talks on Syria.

Russia's special envoy on Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, told reporters earlier in Astana that "We hope to convince our Turkish colleagues to refrain from resorting to excessive use of force on Syrian territory" to "avoid the escalation of tensions".

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Russia on Tuesday (November 22) warned Turkiye against "destabilising" Syria. Turkiye has carried out air strikes against Kurdish fighters and has also threatened to launch ground offensive.

Russia on Tuesday (November 22) warned Turkiye against "destabilising" Syria. Turkiye has carried out air strikes against Kurdish fighters and has also threatened to launch ground offensive. "We understand and respect Turkey's concerns regarding its own security. We believe this is the legal right of Turkey," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. "We still call on all parties to refrain from steps that could lead to seriously destabilising the situation," he said. He added that it could "boomerang back and further complicate the security situation". Turkiye on Sunday (November 20) launched air raids against Kurdish militants across northern Syria and Iraq. According to Britain-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights, at least 37 people were killed in the strikes. On Monday, strikes from Syria killed at least two people, including a child, in the Turkish border town of Karkamis. The Kremlin's comments came as representatives from Russia, Turkey and Iran -- major players in the war in Syria -- meet in the Kazakh capital Astana for trilateral talks on Syria. Russia's special envoy on Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, told reporters earlier in Astana that "We hope to convince our Turkish colleagues to refrain from resorting to excessive use of force on Syrian territory" to "avoid the escalation of tensions". (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Stop 'destabilising' Syria, Russia warns Türkiye

Turkiye has hit Syria with a barrage of retaliatory shelling in the aftermath of Istanbul bombings. In the latest, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he is mulling ground operation in Syria.

Turkiye President Erdogan threatens ground operation into Syria

Syrian Foreign minister Fayssal Mekdad has appreciated Indian support to his country amid the decade long crisis it has been facing. Speaking to our correspondent Sidhant Sibal exclusively, Mekdad said, "You know at a time humanity doesn't mean anything for western power, we found all human noble concepts prevailing in Indian foreign policy. It's not only Syria but any country suffering." The foreign minister is on an India visit and held talks with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on friday. New Delhi has offered Lines of Credit worth USD 280 million to Syria for building a power plant and a steel plant in the country. He also slammed Türkiye's involvement in his country, asking Ankara to withdraw from "Syria, and to stop its support to terrorist groups." The remarks come even as Türkiye launched air raids in on Kurdish targets in Iraq and Syria days after Istanbul saw a terror attack. He also made remarks on Iran protests, his country's support to Russia in the Ukraine conflict and ties with Israel. Watch the interview here.

Exclusive: Syrian Foreign Minister Fayssal Mekdad speaks to WION

Turkish air strikes have hit several towns across North Syria. The air raids have kill at least 31 people . Watch full video to know more.

Operation-claw-sword strikes Syria ahead of Turkiye's general elections

On Monday, suspected Kurdish militants in Syria fired rockets across the border killing at least two&nbsp;people and injuring at least 10 people, said officials in Turkiye. This comes after Ankara launched deadly airstrikes on suspected militants in Syria and Iraq.&nbsp;

According to the Turkiye’s interior minister, Suleyman Soylu, the rockets hit the Turkish town of Karkamis, near the Syrian border. Among those killed were a teacher and a child while a soldier and seven police officers were wounded overnight in separate shelling by suspected Kurdish militants, he added.&nbsp;

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The rockets struck a high school and two houses and a truck in Karkamis in the country’s Gaziantep province, said the governor Davut Gul, adding that at least six people have been injured. According to CNN Turk, rockets were fired from the Kobani area of Syria which is controlled by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units or the YPG militia.

Soylu also said that Turkiye will respond to these attacks in the “strongest way possible”. While the Kurdish-led forces in Syria have not claimed the responsibility, they had previously promised retaliation on Monday after Turkish airstrikes over northern regions of Syria and Iraq. The airstrikes reportedly targeted Kurdish groups which Ankara holds responsible for the bombing in Istanbul on November 13. The bombing had reportedly killed at least six people and injured at least 80.&nbsp;

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According to Turkish authorities, nearly 90 targets were destroyed by their warplanes during the airstrikes and destroyed many of what it calls “terrorists” were killed. Meanwhile, Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that they are also mulling over ground operations against militant groups which will not be “limited to an air campaign.”&nbsp;

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The Turkish air raid in Syria killed at least 31 people, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group. While Ankara has accused PKK of the bombing in Istanbul, the country reportedly considers YPG the PKK’s affiliate in Syria. However, PKK, which is also considered a terror group by Washington, has since denied involvement in the bombing while the Turkish defence ministry said it was retaliating against the incident in Istanbul.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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On Monday, suspected Kurdish militants in Syria fired rockets across the border killing at least two people and injuring at least 10 people, said officials in Turkiye.

On Monday, suspected Kurdish militants in Syria fired rockets across the border killing at least two people and injuring at least 10 people, said officials in Turkiye. This comes after Ankara launched deadly airstrikes on suspected militants in Syria and Iraq. According to the Turkiye’s interior minister, Suleyman Soylu, the rockets hit the Turkish town of Karkamis, near the Syrian border. Among those killed were a teacher and a child while a soldier and seven police officers were wounded overnight in separate shelling by suspected Kurdish militants, he added. ALSO READ | Türkiye launches air raids against Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq, 31 dead The rockets struck a high school and two houses and a truck in Karkamis in the country’s Gaziantep province, said the governor Davut Gul, adding that at least six people have been injured. According to CNN Turk, rockets were fired from the Kobani area of Syria which is controlled by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units or the YPG militia. Soylu also said that Turkiye will respond to these attacks in the “strongest way possible”. While the Kurdish-led forces in Syria have not claimed the responsibility, they had previously promised retaliation on Monday after Turkish airstrikes over northern regions of Syria and Iraq. The airstrikes reportedly targeted Kurdish groups which Ankara holds responsible for the bombing in Istanbul on November 13. The bombing had reportedly killed at least six people and injured at least 80. ALSO WATCH | Turkey changes name to Turkiye; UN recognises the new name According to Turkish authorities, nearly 90 targets were destroyed by their warplanes during the airstrikes and destroyed many of what it calls “terrorists” were killed. Meanwhile, Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that they are also mulling over ground operations against militant groups which will not be “limited to an air campaign.” ALSO READ | Istanbul bombing: Turkiye 'rejects' US condolences hours before G20 summit The Turkish air raid in Syria killed at least 31 people, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group. While Ankara has accused PKK of the bombing in Istanbul, the country reportedly considers YPG the PKK’s affiliate in Syria. However, PKK, which is also considered a terror group by Washington, has since denied involvement in the bombing while the Turkish defence ministry said it was retaliating against the incident in Istanbul. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

At least two people killed, several wounded after rocket strikes by Kurdish militants in Syria: Turkiye

The Turkish military can launch ground operations in northern Syria and Iraq in addition to the ongoing air campaigns, president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday. According to Turkish media reports, the president hinted at ongoing discussions regarding the subject and the military has been informed about a possible campaign in the future. State broadcasters TRT and CNN Turk reported that the decision will be taken after a meeting between the defence ministry and the high-ranking military officials of Turkiye.&nbsp;

“There is no question that this operation be limited to only an aerial operation,” Erdogan told reporters.&nbsp;

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The Turkish air force carried out strategic attacks on Kurdish bases both in Syria and Iraq on Sunday, the defence ministry said. A total of 89 targets were reportedly destroyed in the operation.&nbsp;

The operation was launched in response to missile strikes on Gaziantep in southern Turkey.&nbsp;

“According to the first information, three of our citizens lost their lives including a citizen, a teacher and a child due to mortar fire that hit a residential area,” Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Saturday.&nbsp;

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Erdogan recently returned from a trip to Qatar after attending the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Sunday. After the star-studded ceremony in the capital city of Doha, he met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at a special reception hosted by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. &nbsp;

The event was also attended by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordan’s King Abdullah and Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, according to AFP.&nbsp;

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The Turkish military can launch ground operations in northern Syria and Iraq in addition to the ongoing air campaigns, president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

The Turkish military can launch ground operations in northern Syria and Iraq in addition to the ongoing air campaigns, president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday. According to Turkish media reports, the president hinted at ongoing discussions regarding the subject and the military has been informed about a possible campaign in the future. State broadcasters TRT and CNN Turk reported that the decision will be taken after a meeting between the defence ministry and the high-ranking military officials of Turkiye. “There is no question that this operation be limited to only an aerial operation,” Erdogan told reporters. Also read | At least 50 killed, 300 injured after strong earthquake jolts Indonesia The Turkish air force carried out strategic attacks on Kurdish bases both in Syria and Iraq on Sunday, the defence ministry said. A total of 89 targets were reportedly destroyed in the operation. The operation was launched in response to missile strikes on Gaziantep in southern Turkey. “According to the first information, three of our citizens lost their lives including a citizen, a teacher and a child due to mortar fire that hit a residential area,” Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Saturday. Also read | Trump’s Twitter account restored: Will he accept Musk's invitation? Why was it suspended in the first place? Erdogan recently returned from a trip to Qatar after attending the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2022 on Sunday. After the star-studded ceremony in the capital city of Doha, he met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum at a special reception hosted by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The event was also attended by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Jordan’s King Abdullah and Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, according to AFP.

Turkiye considering ground operations in Northern Iraq and Syria, says Erdogan

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Sword air raids against outlawed Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria on Sunday, almost a week after a deadly blast in central Istanbul, the defence minister said.

Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Sword air raids against outlawed Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria on Sunday, almost a week after a deadly blast in central Istanbul, the defence minister said. “We are starting Operation Claw-Sword from now on,” said Türkiye's defence minister Hulusi Akar as per an AFP report. A defence ministry statement said he directed the offensive from the air force operations centre with top commanders, before the planes left their bases to hit the targets. Türkiye's air force launched an attack on Kurdish bases in northern Syria. The Turkish defence ministry tweeted, “The hour of reckoning has come.” In another post, the ministry shared a video of the Kurdish base being hit with precision strikes. Hesap zamanı! Alçaklardan hain saldırıların hesabı soruluyor! 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/pnEbFDkOF7 — T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) November 19, 2022 × Terör yuvaları tam isabet vuruşlarla yerle bir ediliyor! 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/9jiFRn0hej — T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) November 19, 2022 × British-based war monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has said that at least 31 people have been killed so far in the air raids. Notably, Türkiye has blamed the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its affiliate Syria Kurdish groups for the blast that rocked central Istanbul last week, killing 13. WATCH | Istanbul street blast suspect arrested × According to reports, the target of Turkish attacks has been the northern Syrian border city of Kobane. Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) confirmed that the city had been targetted in the attacks. “Kobane, the city that defeated ISIS, is subjected to bombardment by the aircraft of the Turkish occupation,” tweeted SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami. updated#Kobane, the city that defeated ISIS, is subjected to bombardment by the aircraft of the Turkish occupation. — Farhad Shami (@farhad_shami) November 19, 2022 × “The Turkish occupation aircraft are shelling the al-Beilonya village which is heavily populated with Afrin IDPs who were forcibly displaced from Afrin in 2018,” he added. Notably, Turkish interior minister Suleyman Soylu in the aftermath of the blast said that the order for the attack was given in Kobane, where Turkish forces have carried out operations against the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia in recent years. Soylu added that the bomber had passed through Afrin, another region in northern Syria, which has been bombed by Turkish jets on Sunday. Read more: Forty-six, including Syrian woman accused of planting the bomb, detained for Istanbul blast The PKK and YPG have denied any involvement in the blast. Meanwhile, Turkish police has captured the chief suspect Alham Albashir -- a Syrian woman who is said to have been working for Kurdish militants, in an Istanbul suburb. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Türkiye launches air raids against Kurdish militants in Syria and Iraq, 31 dead

According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, four soldiers were killed and one wounded in Israeli “air aggression” on military posts in central and coastal regions of Syria, on early Saturday. The report quoted an unidentified Syrian military official. On the other hand, the Israeli military has declined to comment.&nbsp;

“At approximately 6:30 this morning (local time), the Israeli enemy carried out an air aggression over the Mediterranean Sea, from the direction of Banias, targeting some posts in the central and coastal region,” said the military source. The report added that Syrian air defences countered the missile attack by the Israeli warplanes flying over the Mediterranean Sea and suffered from material damage.&nbsp;

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Reportedly, Israel has been mounting attacks on Syria for years now against what it has described as Iranian and Iran-backed forces. Furthermore, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights which is a British-based war monitor said that the attacks were reportedly aimed at pro-Iranian groups in the provinces of Homs and Hama, and their ammunition sites. It added that several explosions were also heard in Latakia, a coastal province.&nbsp;

This comes days after Israeli missiles hit the Shayrat air base, in Syria's Homs province killing two soldiers and injuring three, which reports suggest were being used by the Iranian air force.&nbsp;

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In recent months, Israel has intensified targets on Syrian airports and air bases to disrupt Iran’s aerial supply lines used to deliver arms to allies in Syria and Lebanon, including Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah, reports suggest. The supposed Iran-allied militant group has sent thousands of fighters to support Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, four soldiers were killed and one wounded in Israeli “air aggression” on military posts in central and coastal regions of Syria, on early Saturday.

According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, four soldiers were killed and one wounded in Israeli “air aggression” on military posts in central and coastal regions of Syria, on early Saturday. The report quoted an unidentified Syrian military official. On the other hand, the Israeli military has declined to comment. “At approximately 6:30 this morning (local time), the Israeli enemy carried out an air aggression over the Mediterranean Sea, from the direction of Banias, targeting some posts in the central and coastal region,” said the military source. The report added that Syrian air defences countered the missile attack by the Israeli warplanes flying over the Mediterranean Sea and suffered from material damage. ALSO READ: Israel launches strikes against Syria after missile attack Reportedly, Israel has been mounting attacks on Syria for years now against what it has described as Iranian and Iran-backed forces. Furthermore, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights which is a British-based war monitor said that the attacks were reportedly aimed at pro-Iranian groups in the provinces of Homs and Hama, and their ammunition sites. It added that several explosions were also heard in Latakia, a coastal province. This comes days after Israeli missiles hit the Shayrat air base, in Syria's Homs province killing two soldiers and injuring three, which reports suggest were being used by the Iranian air force. ALSO WATCH: Israeli airstrikes in Syria said to hit Iranian sites near Russian naval base In recent months, Israel has intensified targets on Syrian airports and air bases to disrupt Iran’s aerial supply lines used to deliver arms to allies in Syria and Lebanon, including Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah, reports suggest. The supposed Iran-allied militant group has sent thousands of fighters to support Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Four Syrian soldiers killed, one wounded after Israeli airstrikes: Report

Syrian state media said that Israeli airstrikes in the central province of Homs resulted in the deaths of two and injuries of three Syrian soldiers. According to the state-run news agency SANA, Syrian air defences responded to "hostile targets over southeastern Homs province" by intercepting "many of them."

WION Dispatch: Air strikes in Homs kill two, injures three soldiers

Syrian state news agency SANA said on Sunday (November 13) that the country's air defences struck down Israeli missiles over Homs province. Reuters quoted a military source to say that it was a strike on a major Syrian air base.

The strike was targetted at&nbsp;Shayrat air base. It is a military complex southeast of Homs city.

Its runway and underground facilities have undergone a major expansion by the Russia military in the last three years

Russia, which maintains a major military presence in Syria, has forces stationed near to Shayrat air base, which has also been used recently by the Iranian air force, another security source told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Regional and intelligence sources say Israel has in recent months intensified strikes on Syrian airports and air bases to disrupt Iran's increasing use of aerial supply lines to deliver arms to allies in Syria and Lebanon including Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The Israeli military was not immediately available for comment on the reports. Israel has been mounting attacks in Syria for years against what it has described as Iranian and Iran-backed forces that have deployed there during the 11-year war.

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Syrian state news agency SANA said on Sunday (November 13) that the country's air defences struck down Israeli missiles over Homs province. Reuters quoted a military source to say that it was a strike on a major Syrian air base.

Syrian state news agency SANA said on Sunday (November 13) that the country's air defences struck down Israeli missiles over Homs province. Reuters quoted a military source to say that it was a strike on a major Syrian air base. The strike was targetted at Shayrat air base. It is a military complex southeast of Homs city. Its runway and underground facilities have undergone a major expansion by the Russia military in the last three years Russia, which maintains a major military presence in Syria, has forces stationed near to Shayrat air base, which has also been used recently by the Iranian air force, another security source told Reuters on condition of anonymity. Regional and intelligence sources say Israel has in recent months intensified strikes on Syrian airports and air bases to disrupt Iran's increasing use of aerial supply lines to deliver arms to allies in Syria and Lebanon including Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah. The Israeli military was not immediately available for comment on the reports. Israel has been mounting attacks in Syria for years against what it has described as Iranian and Iran-backed forces that have deployed there during the 11-year war. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Syria strikes down Israeli missiles aimed at air force base

A drone struck a convoy near the Syria-Iraq border. The convoy was carrying fuel from Iran. Iran says it was destined for Lebanon.

The West Asia Post | Unknown drone attacks fuel convoy in Syria

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