The main border crossing between Jordan and war-torn Syria reopened on Monday after a three-year closure.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-captures-2013-border-bombing-suspect-in-syria-operation-165255">Also Read:&nbsp;Turkey captures 2013 border bombing suspect in Syria operation</a>

The black metal border gate was opened from the Jordanian side of the crossing at 8:00 am (0500 GMT) as more than a dozen police and customs officials stood nearby while several cars bearing Jordanian license plates queued on the Syrian side ready to roll in.

Normal traffic, however, will not be allowed immediately.

The border crossing, known as Jaber on the Jordanian side and Nassib on the Syrian side, was a key trade route before Amman closed it after the post was overrun by rebels in April 2015.

The reopening comes after Syrian government troops retook their side of the crossing in July under a deal with rebel fighters brokered by Moscow.&nbsp;

The crossing was a key link not only for direct trade between the neighbouring countries but also for longer-distance transit, which was a significant source of revenue.

After seven years of civil war, Syria's government has recaptured large swathes of territory from rebels with backing from Russia, but it still only controls around half the 19 crossing points with neighbours Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey.&nbsp;

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rzd3BxDVGR8" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The main border crossing between Jordan and war-torn Syria reopened on Monday after a three-year closure. Also Read: Turkey captures 2013 border bombing suspect in Syria operation The black metal border gate was opened from the Jordanian side of the crossing at 8:00 am (0500 GMT) as more than a dozen police and customs officials stood nearby while several cars bearing Jordanian license plates queued on the Syrian side ready to roll in.

The main border crossing between Jordan and war-torn Syria reopened on Monday after a three-year closure. Also Read: Turkey captures 2013 border bombing suspect in Syria operation The black metal border gate was opened from the Jordanian side of the crossing at 8:00 am (0500 GMT) as more than a dozen police and customs officials stood nearby while several cars bearing Jordanian license plates queued on the Syrian side ready to roll in. Normal traffic, however, will not be allowed immediately. The border crossing, known as Jaber on the Jordanian side and Nassib on the Syrian side, was a key trade route before Amman closed it after the post was overrun by rebels in April 2015. The reopening comes after Syrian government troops retook their side of the crossing in July under a deal with rebel fighters brokered by Moscow. The crossing was a key link not only for direct trade between the neighbouring countries but also for longer-distance transit, which was a significant source of revenue. After seven years of civil war, Syria's government has recaptured large swathes of territory from rebels with backing from Russia, but it still only controls around half the 19 crossing points with neighbours Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey.

Jordan-Syria border crossing reopens after 3 years

After weeks of talks, Jordan and Syria have decided to reopen the border crossing on Monday after three years, news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

According to reports, the move came after teams from both the countries met on the Jordanian side on Sunday and agreed on the final arrangements to open the crossing. Normal traffic between both the countries will not be opened just yet, Nael Husami, head of the Amman chamber of industry was quoted by Reuters.&nbsp;

The Jaber crossing, known as Naseeb on the Syrian side, was a key route for Middle East trade before Amman closed it in 2015 after the post was overrun by rebels.

The area around the border crossing at Naseeb was reclaimed by Syria this July during a weeks-long Russian-backed offensive to drive rebels from their stronghold in southwest Syria.

Syria has a normally operating border with Lebanon. With Turkey, its frontier is only open into rebel-held areas. Its border crossing with Iraq is only open for government or military uses.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

After weeks of talks, Jordan and Syria have decided to reopen the border crossing on Monday after three years, news agency Reuters reported. According to reports, the move came after teams from both the countries met on the Jordanian side on Sunday and agreed on the final arrangements to open the crossing.

After weeks of talks, Jordan and Syria have decided to reopen the border crossing on Monday after three years, news agency Reuters reported. According to reports, the move came after teams from both the countries met on the Jordanian side on Sunday and agreed on the final arrangements to open the crossing. Normal traffic between both the countries will not be opened just yet, Nael Husami, head of the Amman chamber of industry was quoted by Reuters. The Jaber crossing, known as Naseeb on the Syrian side, was a key route for Middle East trade before Amman closed it in 2015 after the post was overrun by rebels. The area around the border crossing at Naseeb was reclaimed by Syria this July during a weeks-long Russian-backed offensive to drive rebels from their stronghold in southwest Syria. Syria has a normally operating border with Lebanon. With Turkey, its frontier is only open into rebel-held areas. Its border crossing with Iraq is only open for government or military uses. (With inputs from agencies)

After three years, Jordan and Syria decide to reopen border crossing

Hundreds of people were taken by Islamic State group fighters from a displacement camp in east Syria during a jihadist counterattack against advancing US-backed forces, a monitor said Saturday.

The jihadists raided the camp on Friday, taking "more than 100 families" including relatives of IS defectors and of jihadists killed in fighting, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

A number of fighters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) died trying to defend the camp in a battle that lasted several hours, the Britain-based monitoring group said.

The US-backed SDF launched a major assault on September 10 on the small stretch of the Euphrates Valley around the town of Hajin where they estimate some 3,000 jihadists are holed up.

But they have sustained heavy casualties in the operation being conducted with US-led air support.

Since Wednesday, 37 SDF fighters have been killed in jihadist counterattacks, the Observatory said.

IS has lost 58 fighters, most of them in retaliatory coalition air strikes, it added.

"IS is pressing its attacks in the Hajin area as the SDF battles to hold them off with the support of the international coalition," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.

But a prolonged sandstorm has made it difficult for the coalition to carry out air strikes.

IS published statements on its social media accounts describing a number of attacks by "soldiers of the caliphate" against SDF forces in the Hajin area.&nbsp;

The battle for Hajin has claimed the lives of 176 SDF fighters and 325 IS jihadists since its launch last month, according to Observatory figures.

The SDF, backed by the coalition, has ousted IS from swathes of northern and eastern Syria, including Raqa, the de facto capital of the jihadists' so-called caliphate.&nbsp;

Founded in 2015, the SDF is spearheaded by the People's Protection Units (YPG), a powerful Kurdish armed movement.&nbsp;

Hundreds of foreigners have joined the YPG to battle IS, which has its own notorious contingent of foreign fighters.&nbsp;

Hundreds of people were taken by Islamic State group fighters from a displacement camp in east Syria during a jihadist counterattack against advancing US-backed forces, a monitor said Saturday.

Hundreds of people were taken by Islamic State group fighters from a displacement camp in east Syria during a jihadist counterattack against advancing US-backed forces, a monitor said Saturday. The jihadists raided the camp on Friday, taking "more than 100 families" including relatives of IS defectors and of jihadists killed in fighting, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. A number of fighters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) died trying to defend the camp in a battle that lasted several hours, the Britain-based monitoring group said. The US-backed SDF launched a major assault on September 10 on the small stretch of the Euphrates Valley around the town of Hajin where they estimate some 3,000 jihadists are holed up. But they have sustained heavy casualties in the operation being conducted with US-led air support. Since Wednesday, 37 SDF fighters have been killed in jihadist counterattacks, the Observatory said. IS has lost 58 fighters, most of them in retaliatory coalition air strikes, it added. "IS is pressing its attacks in the Hajin area as the SDF battles to hold them off with the support of the international coalition," Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. But a prolonged sandstorm has made it difficult for the coalition to carry out air strikes. IS published statements on its social media accounts describing a number of attacks by "soldiers of the caliphate" against SDF forces in the Hajin area. The battle for Hajin has claimed the lives of 176 SDF fighters and 325 IS jihadists since its launch last month, according to Observatory figures. The SDF, backed by the coalition, has ousted IS from swathes of northern and eastern Syria, including Raqa, the de facto capital of the jihadists' so-called caliphate. Founded in 2015, the SDF is spearheaded by the People's Protection Units (YPG), a powerful Kurdish armed movement. Hundreds of foreigners have joined the YPG to battle IS, which has its own notorious contingent of foreign fighters.

Hundreds taken by IS from displacement camp in east Syria: Report

Wion travels to Southern Lebanon

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday said that a Russia-Turkey deal for the last major rebel bastion of Idlib was a "temporary measure", state news agency SANA reported.

"The agreement is a temporary measure through which the state has realised many achievements on the ground starting with stemming the bloodshed," SANA reported the president as saying at a meeting of the central committee of his Baath party.

The deal reached on September 17 between regime ally Moscow and rebel backer Ankara aims to avert a massive regime assault on Idlib province and adjacent areas, by creating a 15 to 20-kilometre (9-12 mile) buffer zone ringing the country's last major rebel stronghold.

"This province and other Syrian territories still under terrorist control will return to the Syrian state," SANA reported Assad as saying, employing the regime's usual term for both rebels and jihadists.

Assad's regime has retaken large parts of Syria from opposition fighters and jihadists since Russia intervened militarily by its side in 2015.

More than half of the Idlib region is held by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an alliance led by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, while Turkey-backed rebels hold most of the rest.

Syria's war has killed more than 360,000 people since starting in 2011 with the repression of anti-government protests, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday said that a Russia-Turkey deal for the last major rebel bastion of Idlib was a "temporary measure", state news agency SANA reported.

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday said that a Russia-Turkey deal for the last major rebel bastion of Idlib was a "temporary measure", state news agency SANA reported. "The agreement is a temporary measure through which the state has realised many achievements on the ground starting with stemming the bloodshed," SANA reported the president as saying at a meeting of the central committee of his Baath party. The deal reached on September 17 between regime ally Moscow and rebel backer Ankara aims to avert a massive regime assault on Idlib province and adjacent areas, by creating a 15 to 20-kilometre (9-12 mile) buffer zone ringing the country's last major rebel stronghold. "This province and other Syrian territories still under terrorist control will return to the Syrian state," SANA reported Assad as saying, employing the regime's usual term for both rebels and jihadists. Assad's regime has retaken large parts of Syria from opposition fighters and jihadists since Russia intervened militarily by its side in 2015. More than half of the Idlib region is held by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an alliance led by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, while Turkey-backed rebels hold most of the rest. Syria's war has killed more than 360,000 people since starting in 2011 with the repression of anti-government protests, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group.

Syria's Assad says Idlib deal 'temporary measure': Report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin soon to discuss security coordination over Syria, amid friction with Moscow over Israel's air operations.

Netanyahu made the announcement at a cabinet meeting, without citing a specific date for the talks with Putin.

Russia said on Tuesday it had upgraded Syria's air defences with the S-300 missile system, after accusing Israel of indirect responsibility for the downing of a Russian spy plane by Syrian forces as they fired on attacking Israeli jets last month.

Israeli officials have said the new system could be defeated by Israel's stealth fighters and possibly destroyed on the ground, and they have pledged to press on with efforts to prevent military entrenchment by arch-enemy Iran in Syria.

But since the Russian plane was shot down, there have been no reports of Israeli air strikes in Syria.

The apparent pause has raised speculation in the Israeli media that Israel was either holding back at Russia's request or paused the attacks over concern they would fuel tensions with Moscow - the Damascus government's main military backer.

Netanyahu said he had spoken by telephone with Putin "and we agreed to meet soon to continue the important security coordination between our armed forces".

"Israel will constantly act to prevent Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria and transferring deadly weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon," he said, referring to the Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim group allied with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin soon to discuss security coordination over Syria, amid friction with Moscow over Israel's air operations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin soon to discuss security coordination over Syria, amid friction with Moscow over Israel's air operations. Netanyahu made the announcement at a cabinet meeting, without citing a specific date for the talks with Putin. Russia said on Tuesday it had upgraded Syria's air defences with the S-300 missile system, after accusing Israel of indirect responsibility for the downing of a Russian spy plane by Syrian forces as they fired on attacking Israeli jets last month. Israeli officials have said the new system could be defeated by Israel's stealth fighters and possibly destroyed on the ground, and they have pledged to press on with efforts to prevent military entrenchment by arch-enemy Iran in Syria. But since the Russian plane was shot down, there have been no reports of Israeli air strikes in Syria. The apparent pause has raised speculation in the Israeli media that Israel was either holding back at Russia's request or paused the attacks over concern they would fuel tensions with Moscow - the Damascus government's main military backer. Netanyahu said he had spoken by telephone with Putin "and we agreed to meet soon to continue the important security coordination between our armed forces". "Israel will constantly act to prevent Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria and transferring deadly weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon," he said, referring to the Lebanese Shi'ite Muslim group allied with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Will meet Putin soon on Syria security coordination: Israel PM Netanyahu

Russia delivers new Anti-Aircraft missiles to Syria

Saudi Arabia and Turkey, despite being on opposite sides of Middle Eastern divides, are cooperating in Syria to enable youth and women to acquire skills that would either allow them to compete in the job market or turn them into entrepreneurs.

The Saudi-funded, Turkish-executed projects potentially highlight a newly found degree of pragmatism and fluidity among seemingly entrenched alliances in the Middle East that largely pitch Turkey, Iran and Qatar against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Saudi Arabia and Turkey differ on some of the Middle East’s most important divides. Turkey backs Qatar in its 15-month-old dispute with a Saudi-United Arab Emirates-led alliance that is boycotting the Gulf state economically and diplomatically and is competing with Saudi Arabia, and even more so with its closest ally, the UAE, for influence in the Horn of Africa.

While Turkey and Saudi Arabia are closer in their approach towards Syria, Turkey hosts members of the Muslim Brotherhood, a group that has been banned in the kingdom and is at the centre of its conflict with Qatar. It also opposes US sanctioning of Iran that has been embraced by Saudi Arabia.

Turkey further has exploited Saudi reluctance to aggressively oppose US President Donald Trump’s pro-Israel policy to position itself as the leader of the Islamic world in supporting the Palestinians. Turkish officials have suggested that the UAE had funded a failed 2016 military coup.

The projects are but one indication of the seeming emergence of a degree of pragmatism on the part of parties on all sides of the Middle Eastern divide. Other indications include differences between Turkey, Russia and Iran over how to handle Idlib, the last rebel-held stronghold in Syria; Bahraini trial balloons suggesting a softening of the boycott of Qatar; and Turkish-German efforts to mend fences with one another.

The signs of flexibility are as fragile as the alliances themselves. They are being put to a test with the disappearance in Istanbul of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of the kingdom’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who disappeared this week during a visit to the Saudi consulate.

Khashoggi, known for his close ties to the ruling family, went a year ago into self-exile in Washington, after being banned from publishing, which he feared was a prelude to arrest.

Neither Saudi Arabia nor Turkey has so far commented on Khashoggi’s disappearance. A Saudi Press Agency report said an unidentified Saudi national accused of having signed cheques that bounced had been deported to the kingdom on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by Interpol. The agency gave no further details.

While it is unknown whether the agency was referring to Khashoggi, many fear that he may have been kidnapped. It would not be the first time that Saudi Arabia has forcibly repatriated its critics.

A Saudi detention or nabbing of Khashoggi in Istanbul without at least tacit Turkish cooperation would embarrass Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and likely spark a further deterioration of Turkish-Saudi relations. If Turkey was complicit, it would bear testimony to increasing pragmatism.

Meanwhile, Saudi-Turkish cooperation in Syria goes beyond relief and development aid. It helps Turkey create a sphere of influence in areas of Syria near Turkey’s border that are controlled by Turkish troops and administered by Turkey.

In a bid to compliment Turkish hard power in Syria with soft power and counter Kurdish influence, Erdogan’s Religious Affairs Directorate or Diyanet has trained Syrian religious personnel, according to a 104-page report published by the directorate.

The report said that the directorate had spent a total of $34.1 million dollars in Syria on thing like repairing mosques, distributing Kurdish-language Qurans, and educating 11,250 students.

Journalist Amed Dicle said that Diyanet had recruited 5,686 teachers from the ranks of rebels opposed to the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad whose curriculum emphasized Turkey’s synthesis between Islam and nationalism and included anti-Kurdish teachings. “Kurds are portrayed as atheists, and the PKK, YPG and other Kurdish fighters are infidels,” Dicle said, referring to the outlawed Kurdish Workers Party and its Syrian offshoot, the People’s Protection Units.

A Syrian imam told Al-Monitor, “We're getting paid by the Turkish government. We're grateful to them and we see that the local population here are happy to be under Turkish rule. For Turkey, religious and national allegiances are one and the same. But our interpretation of Islam may not always be the same. Turkey keeps Kurds under control and that's good for us. Plus, one day Syrians in Turkey may come and settle in these areas.”

Saudi cooperation with Turkey and its anti-Kurdish agenda in Syria has not prevented the kingdom from establishing ties to Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region that borders on Iran with the opening of a consulate in Erbil, initiation of Saudia flights from Jeddah to Erbil, and a visit by Saudi businessmen.

Bahrain reportedly hinted last month that the Gulf states boycotting Qatar may re-open airspace to flights bound from and to Doha. The continued closure has forced Qatar Airways to fly longer routes to circumvent Saudi, UAE and Bahraini airspace at considerable cost to the airline. The report was widely seen as a trial balloon.

Similarly, Erdogan travelled last week to Germany with which it has had strained relations in a bid to increase his options following a summit with Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani, the presidents of Russia and Iran, in which he for now delayed a Syrian-Russian assault on Idlib that would have sent hundreds of thousands, if not millions fleeing towards the Turkish border.

The limitations of the notion, apparently shared by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Erdogan, that deep differences can easily be put aside to pragmatically focus on issues of common interest, a key pillar of Middle Eastern alliances, were on display with the European Parliament this week voting to withhold 70 million euros in pre-accession funding because Turkey had failed to reverse its moves towards authoritarianism.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia and Turkey, despite being on opposite sides of Middle Eastern divides, are cooperating in Syria to enable youth and women to acquire skills that would either allow them to compete in the job market or turn them into entrepreneurs.

Saudi Arabia and Turkey, despite being on opposite sides of Middle Eastern divides, are cooperating in Syria to enable youth and women to acquire skills that would either allow them to compete in the job market or turn them into entrepreneurs. The Saudi-funded, Turkish-executed projects potentially highlight a newly found degree of pragmatism and fluidity among seemingly entrenched alliances in the Middle East that largely pitch Turkey, Iran and Qatar against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia and Turkey differ on some of the Middle East’s most important divides. Turkey backs Qatar in its 15-month-old dispute with a Saudi-United Arab Emirates-led alliance that is boycotting the Gulf state economically and diplomatically and is competing with Saudi Arabia, and even more so with its closest ally, the UAE, for influence in the Horn of Africa. While Turkey and Saudi Arabia are closer in their approach towards Syria, Turkey hosts members of the Muslim Brotherhood, a group that has been banned in the kingdom and is at the centre of its conflict with Qatar. It also opposes US sanctioning of Iran that has been embraced by Saudi Arabia. Turkey further has exploited Saudi reluctance to aggressively oppose US President Donald Trump’s pro-Israel policy to position itself as the leader of the Islamic world in supporting the Palestinians. Turkish officials have suggested that the UAE had funded a failed 2016 military coup. The projects are but one indication of the seeming emergence of a degree of pragmatism on the part of parties on all sides of the Middle Eastern divide. Other indications include differences between Turkey, Russia and Iran over how to handle Idlib, the last rebel-held stronghold in Syria; Bahraini trial balloons suggesting a softening of the boycott of Qatar; and Turkish-German efforts to mend fences with one another. The signs of flexibility are as fragile as the alliances themselves. They are being put to a test with the disappearance in Istanbul of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of the kingdom’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who disappeared this week during a visit to the Saudi consulate. Khashoggi, known for his close ties to the ruling family, went a year ago into self-exile in Washington, after being banned from publishing, which he feared was a prelude to arrest. Neither Saudi Arabia nor Turkey has so far commented on Khashoggi’s disappearance. A Saudi Press Agency report said an unidentified Saudi national accused of having signed cheques that bounced had been deported to the kingdom on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by Interpol. The agency gave no further details. While it is unknown whether the agency was referring to Khashoggi, many fear that he may have been kidnapped. It would not be the first time that Saudi Arabia has forcibly repatriated its critics. A Saudi detention or nabbing of Khashoggi in Istanbul without at least tacit Turkish cooperation would embarrass Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and likely spark a further deterioration of Turkish-Saudi relations. If Turkey was complicit, it would bear testimony to increasing pragmatism. Meanwhile, Saudi-Turkish cooperation in Syria goes beyond relief and development aid. It helps Turkey create a sphere of influence in areas of Syria near Turkey’s border that are controlled by Turkish troops and administered by Turkey. In a bid to compliment Turkish hard power in Syria with soft power and counter Kurdish influence, Erdogan’s Religious Affairs Directorate or Diyanet has trained Syrian religious personnel, according to a 104-page report published by the directorate. The report said that the directorate had spent a total of $34.1 million dollars in Syria on thing like repairing mosques, distributing Kurdish-language Qurans, and educating 11,250 students. Journalist Amed Dicle said that Diyanet had recruited 5,686 teachers from the ranks of rebels opposed to the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad whose curriculum emphasized Turkey’s synthesis between Islam and nationalism and included anti-Kurdish teachings. “Kurds are portrayed as atheists, and the PKK, YPG and other Kurdish fighters are infidels,” Dicle said, referring to the outlawed Kurdish Workers Party and its Syrian offshoot, the People’s Protection Units. A Syrian imam told Al-Monitor, “We're getting paid by the Turkish government. We're grateful to them and we see that the local population here are happy to be under Turkish rule. For Turkey, religious and national allegiances are one and the same. But our interpretation of Islam may not always be the same. Turkey keeps Kurds under control and that's good for us. Plus, one day Syrians in Turkey may come and settle in these areas.” Saudi cooperation with Turkey and its anti-Kurdish agenda in Syria has not prevented the kingdom from establishing ties to Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region that borders on Iran with the opening of a consulate in Erbil, initiation of Saudia flights from Jeddah to Erbil, and a visit by Saudi businessmen. Bahrain reportedly hinted last month that the Gulf states boycotting Qatar may re-open airspace to flights bound from and to Doha. The continued closure has forced Qatar Airways to fly longer routes to circumvent Saudi, UAE and Bahraini airspace at considerable cost to the airline. The report was widely seen as a trial balloon. Similarly, Erdogan travelled last week to Germany with which it has had strained relations in a bid to increase his options following a summit with Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani, the presidents of Russia and Iran, in which he for now delayed a Syrian-Russian assault on Idlib that would have sent hundreds of thousands, if not millions fleeing towards the Turkish border. The limitations of the notion, apparently shared by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Erdogan, that deep differences can easily be put aside to pragmatically focus on issues of common interest, a key pillar of Middle Eastern alliances, were on display with the European Parliament this week voting to withhold 70 million euros in pre-accession funding because Turkey had failed to reverse its moves towards authoritarianism. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Prominent journalist’s disappearance challenges fragile Middle Eastern pragmatism

Russia has delivered an S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Syria, it said on Tuesday, in defiance of Israeli and US concerns that the arms sale would embolden Iran and escalate the Syrian war.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told President Vladimir Putin during a meeting broadcast by Rossiya 24 TV: "The work was finished a day ago," adding that the system would improve the security of Russian military personnel in Syria.

Russia decided to supply the system after Moscow accused Israel of indirectly causing the downing of a Russian military jet near Syria in September.

Israel voiced regret at the deaths of 15 Russian aircrew while saying Syrian incompetence was at fault and that it was compelled to continue taking action against suspected deployments of Iranian-backed forces across its northern border.

"We have not changed our strategic line on Iran," Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet, said on Tuesday.

"We will not allow Iran to open up a third front against us. We will take actions as required," he told Israel Radio.

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert could not confirm reports that the S-300 had been delivered.

"I cannot confirm that that is accurate. I hope that they did not," she told a press briefing. "That would be, I think, sort of a serious escalation in concerns and issues going on in Syria, but I just can't confirm it."

Russia has delivered an S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Syria, it said on Tuesday, in defiance of Israeli and US concerns that the arms sale would embolden Iran and escalate the Syrian war.

Russia has delivered an S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Syria, it said on Tuesday, in defiance of Israeli and US concerns that the arms sale would embolden Iran and escalate the Syrian war. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told President Vladimir Putin during a meeting broadcast by Rossiya 24 TV: "The work was finished a day ago," adding that the system would improve the security of Russian military personnel in Syria. Russia decided to supply the system after Moscow accused Israel of indirectly causing the downing of a Russian military jet near Syria in September. Israel voiced regret at the deaths of 15 Russian aircrew while saying Syrian incompetence was at fault and that it was compelled to continue taking action against suspected deployments of Iranian-backed forces across its northern border. "We have not changed our strategic line on Iran," Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet, said on Tuesday. "We will not allow Iran to open up a third front against us. We will take actions as required," he told Israel Radio. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert could not confirm reports that the S-300 had been delivered. "I cannot confirm that that is accurate. I hope that they did not," she told a press briefing. "That would be, I think, sort of a serious escalation in concerns and issues going on in Syria, but I just can't confirm it."

Russia completes delivery of S-300 system to Syria

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-tsunami-death-toll-rises-rescue-operators-scramble-reach-quake-hit-areas-168782">Indonesia tsunami death toll rises as rescue operators scramble to reach quake-hit areas</a>

Rescue operations were hampered in earthquake-hit Sulawesi island in Indonesia as several hundred were still feared trapped in rubble after a massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake followed by tsunami devasted homes and families on Friday night.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/james-p-allison-tasaku-honjo-win-nobel-prize-medicine-168761">James P Allison, Tasaku Honjo win Nobel Prize in medicine</a>

James P Allison, 70, and Tasaku Honjo, 76, of Japan have jointly won the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine this year. The two winners have been given the top prize for their work in discovering cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-delays-plan-shift-rohingyas-remote-island-168762">Bangladesh delays plan to shift Rohingyas to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-delays-plan-shift-rohingyas-remote-island-168762">remote</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-delays-plan-shift-rohingyas-remote-island-168762"> island</a>

Bangladesh has postponed plans to begin relocating Rohingya Muslims to a remote island, officials said Monday, amid staunch opposition to the controversial idea among refugees living near the Myanmar border.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/watch-iran-fires-missiles-militants-syria-over-parade-attack-168787">Watch: Iran fires missiles at militants in Syria over parade attack</a>

Iran fired missiles on Monday at militants in Syria it blamed for an attack in southwestern Iran on September 22, the Revolutionary Guards said, in what it called a sign of Tehran's readiness to punish its enemies' "wickedness".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lt-gen-asim-munir-likely-be-appointed-new-isi-chief-168767">Lt Gen Asim Munir likely to be appointed as new ISI chief</a>

Lt Gen Asim Munir is likely to be made the new chief of Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI after &nbsp;Lt General Naveed Mukhtar, and four other three-star generals retired on Monday, reports said.&nbsp;

Indonesia tsunami death toll rises as rescue operators scramble to reach quake-hit areas Rescue operations were hampered in earthquake-hit Sulawesi island in Indonesia as several hundred were still feared trapped in rubble after a massive 7.

Indonesia tsunami death toll rises as rescue operators scramble to reach quake-hit areas Rescue operations were hampered in earthquake-hit Sulawesi island in Indonesia as several hundred were still feared trapped in rubble after a massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake followed by tsunami devasted homes and families on Friday night. James P Allison, Tasaku Honjo win Nobel Prize in medicine James P Allison, 70, and Tasaku Honjo, 76, of Japan have jointly won the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine this year. The two winners have been given the top prize for their work in discovering cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation. Bangladesh delays plan to shift Rohingyas to remote island Bangladesh has postponed plans to begin relocating Rohingya Muslims to a remote island, officials said Monday, amid staunch opposition to the controversial idea among refugees living near the Myanmar border. Watch: Iran fires missiles at militants in Syria over parade attack Iran fired missiles on Monday at militants in Syria it blamed for an attack in southwestern Iran on September 22, the Revolutionary Guards said, in what it called a sign of Tehran's readiness to punish its enemies' "wickedness". Lt Gen Asim Munir likely to be appointed as new ISI chief Lt Gen Asim Munir is likely to be made the new chief of Pakistan's powerful spy agency ISI after Lt General Naveed Mukhtar, and four other three-star generals retired on Monday, reports said.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Iran&nbsp;fired missiles on Monday at militants in Syria it blamed for an attack in southwestern&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;on September 22, the Revolutionary Guards said, in what it called a sign of Tehran's readiness to punish its enemies' "wickedness".

Tehran has accused US-backed Gulf Arab states of carrying out the September 22 shooting attack on a military parade that killed 25 people, nearly half of them members of&nbsp;Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards.

Monday's strike targeted the bases of "takfiri terrorists" backed by the United States and regional powers in eastern Syria, the Guards said in a statement on Sepah News, their official news site. It killed a number of militant leaders and destroyed their supplies and infrastructure, they said.

Iranian officials often use the word "takfiri" to describe Sunni Muslim hardliners.&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;is predominantly Shi'ite Muslim.

"Death to the family of Saud," "Death to America," and "Death to Israel" were written on one of the missiles shown on the Fars News site.

The strike targeted the last pocket of territory in southeastern Syria held by Islamic State, said an official in the&nbsp;Iran-backed regional alliance fighting in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

It is an area where the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched a new offensive last month against Islamic State.

The US-led coalition confirmed&nbsp;Iranian forces had conducted "no notice strikes last night".

"At this time, the coalition is still assessing if any damage occurred and no coalition forces were in danger," Col. spokesman Sean Ryan said.

"IRON FIST"

Fars News posted video footage of several missiles streaking into a dark sky during the attack.

The six ballistic missiles used in the attack flew 570 km (354 miles) to hit the targets, the Guards said. A map shown on state TV pinpointed Kermanshah in western&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;as the launch site and Albu Kamal in southeast Syria as the target.

The missiles were&nbsp;Iranian-made Zolfaqar and Qiam missiles, Fars News reported.

"Our iron fist is prepared to deliver a decisive and crushing response to any wickedness and mischief of the enemies," the Guards, the most powerful military force in the Islamic Republic, said in their statement.

Seven drones were also used to bomb militant targets during the attack, they said.

The Ahvaz National Resistance, an&nbsp;Iranian ethnic Arab separatist movement, and the Islamic State have both claimed responsibility for the September 22 attack. Neither group has presented conclusive evidence to back up their claim.

Iranian military support has been vital to helping Assad through the Syrian war, and&nbsp;Iran-backed forces are deployed in southeastern Syria on the west bank of the Euphrates River.&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;has dismissed US demands that it leave Syria.

The official in the&nbsp;Iran-backed alliance described Monday's strike, targeting an area on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, as a "limited message". "One of the messages, to those it concerns, is that 'our missiles are one of our powerful cards that are ready to respond whenever we want'," the official said.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the highest authority in&nbsp;Iran, has said the militants responsible for the September 22 attack were paid by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and that&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;would "severely punish" those behind the violence.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have denied involvement in the attack.

Mohsen Rezaie, a former commander of the Guards, suggested in a Twitter message on Monday that more attacks were coming.

"The main punishment is on the way," Rezaie, who is secretary of the Expediency Council, an unelected arbitration body that resolves disputes between parliament and a clerical vetting body, the Guardian Council, wrote.

Last year, the Guards fired missiles at Islamic State militants in Syria after the group claimed responsibility for an attack on the parliament in Tehran and the mausoleum of the founder of&nbsp;Iran’s revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, that left at least 18 people dead and dozens wounded.

Iran fired missiles on Monday at militants in Syria it blamed for an attack in southwestern Iran on September 22, the Revolutionary Guards said, in what it called a sign of Tehran's readiness to punish its enemies' "wickedness".

Iran fired missiles on Monday at militants in Syria it blamed for an attack in southwestern Iran on September 22, the Revolutionary Guards said, in what it called a sign of Tehran's readiness to punish its enemies' "wickedness". Tehran has accused US-backed Gulf Arab states of carrying out the September 22 shooting attack on a military parade that killed 25 people, nearly half of them members of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards. Monday's strike targeted the bases of "takfiri terrorists" backed by the United States and regional powers in eastern Syria, the Guards said in a statement on Sepah News, their official news site. It killed a number of militant leaders and destroyed their supplies and infrastructure, they said. Iranian officials often use the word "takfiri" to describe Sunni Muslim hardliners. Iran is predominantly Shi'ite Muslim. "Death to the family of Saud," "Death to America," and "Death to Israel" were written on one of the missiles shown on the Fars News site. The strike targeted the last pocket of territory in southeastern Syria held by Islamic State, said an official in the Iran-backed regional alliance fighting in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It is an area where the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launched a new offensive last month against Islamic State. The US-led coalition confirmed Iranian forces had conducted "no notice strikes last night". "At this time, the coalition is still assessing if any damage occurred and no coalition forces were in danger," Col. spokesman Sean Ryan said. "IRON FIST" Fars News posted video footage of several missiles streaking into a dark sky during the attack. The six ballistic missiles used in the attack flew 570 km (354 miles) to hit the targets, the Guards said. A map shown on state TV pinpointed Kermanshah in western Iran as the launch site and Albu Kamal in southeast Syria as the target. The missiles were Iranian-made Zolfaqar and Qiam missiles, Fars News reported. "Our iron fist is prepared to deliver a decisive and crushing response to any wickedness and mischief of the enemies," the Guards, the most powerful military force in the Islamic Republic, said in their statement. Seven drones were also used to bomb militant targets during the attack, they said. The Ahvaz National Resistance, an Iranian ethnic Arab separatist movement, and the Islamic State have both claimed responsibility for the September 22 attack. Neither group has presented conclusive evidence to back up their claim. Iranian military support has been vital to helping Assad through the Syrian war, and Iran-backed forces are deployed in southeastern Syria on the west bank of the Euphrates River. Iran has dismissed US demands that it leave Syria. The official in the Iran-backed alliance described Monday's strike, targeting an area on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, as a "limited message". "One of the messages, to those it concerns, is that 'our missiles are one of our powerful cards that are ready to respond whenever we want'," the official said. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the highest authority in Iran, has said the militants responsible for the September 22 attack were paid by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and that Iran would "severely punish" those behind the violence. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have denied involvement in the attack. Mohsen Rezaie, a former commander of the Guards, suggested in a Twitter message on Monday that more attacks were coming. "The main punishment is on the way," Rezaie, who is secretary of the Expediency Council, an unelected arbitration body that resolves disputes between parliament and a clerical vetting body, the Guardian Council, wrote. Last year, the Guards fired missiles at Islamic State militants in Syria after the group claimed responsibility for an attack on the parliament in Tehran and the mausoleum of the founder of Iran’s revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, that left at least 18 people dead and dozens wounded.

Watch: Iran fires missiles at militants in Syria over parade attack

A key rebel alliance in Syria's Idlib has said it was opposed to the deployment of Russian forces in a demilitarised zone to be set up under a Turkey-Russia deal for the opposition bastion.

The deal agreed last month between Ankara and Moscow provides for the establishment of a U-shaped buffer zone around Idlib that would be free of both jihadists and heavy weapons.

The buffer would be patrolled by Turkish troops and Russian military police.

The National Liberation Front, a powerful Turkish-backed rebel alliance in Idlib, cautiously welcomed the deal but has since raised objections.&nbsp;

"A long meeting was held with our Turkish ally regarding the elements of the agreement, and chiefly the issue of Russia's presence in the buffer area," NLF spokesman Naji Mustafa said late Sunday.&nbsp;

"We discussed the issue, and the NLF took a clear position rejecting this matter," he said, adding that Turkey "pledged that it would not happen".

The accord over Idlib was reached on September 17 by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Russian resort town of Sochi.&nbsp;

Under the agreement, all factions in the planned buffer area must hand over their heavy weapons by October 10 and radical groups must withdraw by October 15.

Mustafa's statement on Sunday was the latest indication of continued divisions and confusion over the accord. &nbsp;

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said Sunday that an NLF faction known as Faylaq al-Sham had begun pulling out its heavy weapons from three towns in the planned zone.&nbsp;

Both Faylaq al-Sham and the NLF denied the withdrawal to AFP.&nbsp;

"There have been no changes in the location of weapons or redistribution of fighters, even as we remain committed to the agreement reached in (the Russian resort of) Sochi," said Sayf al-Raad.

Idlib lies on the border with Turkey and is held by a complex array of rival rebel and jihadist factions, which observers expect will complicate the buffer zone's creation.

Most of the territory where the buffer would be set up is held by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist-led alliance, and other hardliners.

HTS has yet to officially comment on the deal, but its chief Abu Mohammad al-Jolani has previously warned that rebel weapons were a "red line".&nbsp;

Hurras al-Deen, a smaller Al-Qaeda-linked group, has rejected the agreement.

On Saturday, formerly US-backed rebel group Jaish al-Izza followed suit, saying the deal "bails out (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad."

A key rebel alliance in Syria's Idlib has said it was opposed to the deployment of Russian forces in a demilitarised zone to be set up under a Turkey-Russia deal for the opposition bastion.

A key rebel alliance in Syria's Idlib has said it was opposed to the deployment of Russian forces in a demilitarised zone to be set up under a Turkey-Russia deal for the opposition bastion. The deal agreed last month between Ankara and Moscow provides for the establishment of a U-shaped buffer zone around Idlib that would be free of both jihadists and heavy weapons. The buffer would be patrolled by Turkish troops and Russian military police. The National Liberation Front, a powerful Turkish-backed rebel alliance in Idlib, cautiously welcomed the deal but has since raised objections. "A long meeting was held with our Turkish ally regarding the elements of the agreement, and chiefly the issue of Russia's presence in the buffer area," NLF spokesman Naji Mustafa said late Sunday. "We discussed the issue, and the NLF took a clear position rejecting this matter," he said, adding that Turkey "pledged that it would not happen". The accord over Idlib was reached on September 17 by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Russian resort town of Sochi. Under the agreement, all factions in the planned buffer area must hand over their heavy weapons by October 10 and radical groups must withdraw by October 15. Mustafa's statement on Sunday was the latest indication of continued divisions and confusion over the accord. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said Sunday that an NLF faction known as Faylaq al-Sham had begun pulling out its heavy weapons from three towns in the planned zone. Both Faylaq al-Sham and the NLF denied the withdrawal to AFP. "There have been no changes in the location of weapons or redistribution of fighters, even as we remain committed to the agreement reached in (the Russian resort of) Sochi," said Sayf al-Raad. Idlib lies on the border with Turkey and is held by a complex array of rival rebel and jihadist factions, which observers expect will complicate the buffer zone's creation. Most of the territory where the buffer would be set up is held by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist-led alliance, and other hardliners. HTS has yet to officially comment on the deal, but its chief Abu Mohammad al-Jolani has previously warned that rebel weapons were a "red line". Hurras al-Deen, a smaller Al-Qaeda-linked group, has rejected the agreement. On Saturday, formerly US-backed rebel group Jaish al-Izza followed suit, saying the deal "bails out (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad."

Syria rebels reject Russia presence in planned buffer zone

A formerly US-backed Syrian rebel group on Saturday rejected a deal between Russia and Turkey to avert a large-scale military assault on rebel-held Idlib province.

The deal makes way for a demilitarised zone between rebel and regime-held areas in and around the northwestern governorate, Syria's last insurgent bastion.

Under the accord reached on September 17 amid mounting fears of a devastating regime offensive, jihadist factions would withdraw their heavy weaponry from the buffer zone.

Pro-Turkey rebels have cautiously accepted the deal, but the Jaysh al-Izza faction on Saturday rejected it, saying the zone to be set up by October 15 would only encompass territory currently under rebel control.

It said the buffer zone should be carved out equally from both rebel-held territory and nearby zones controlled by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"We are against this deal, which eats into liberated (rebel-held) areas and bails out Bashar al-Assad," Jaysh al-Izza head Jamil al-Saleh told AFP. 
The group, which according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has around 2,500 fighters, is mainly active in the north of Hama province, bordering Idlib.

It had been close to Ankara but their ties cooled after it refused to join a Turkish-backed alliance, the National Liberation Front.

On September 23, the NLF accepted the demilitarisation deal but said it remained on guard.

A minor Al-Qaeda-linked group, Hurras al-Deen, has also rejected the agreement reached in the Russian resort of Sochi.

The dominant force in the region bordering Turkey, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) alliance led by jihadists of Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, had on Saturday still not responded.

A formerly US-backed Syrian rebel group on Saturday rejected a deal between Russia and Turkey to avert a large-scale military assault on rebel-held Idlib province.

A formerly US-backed Syrian rebel group on Saturday rejected a deal between Russia and Turkey to avert a large-scale military assault on rebel-held Idlib province. The deal makes way for a demilitarised zone between rebel and regime-held areas in and around the northwestern governorate, Syria's last insurgent bastion. Under the accord reached on September 17 amid mounting fears of a devastating regime offensive, jihadist factions would withdraw their heavy weaponry from the buffer zone. Pro-Turkey rebels have cautiously accepted the deal, but the Jaysh al-Izza faction on Saturday rejected it, saying the zone to be set up by October 15 would only encompass territory currently under rebel control. It said the buffer zone should be carved out equally from both rebel-held territory and nearby zones controlled by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. "We are against this deal, which eats into liberated (rebel-held) areas and bails out Bashar al-Assad," Jaysh al-Izza head Jamil al-Saleh told AFP. The group, which according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has around 2,500 fighters, is mainly active in the north of Hama province, bordering Idlib. It had been close to Ankara but their ties cooled after it refused to join a Turkish-backed alliance, the National Liberation Front. On September 23, the NLF accepted the demilitarisation deal but said it remained on guard. A minor Al-Qaeda-linked group, Hurras al-Deen, has also rejected the agreement reached in the Russian resort of Sochi. The dominant force in the region bordering Turkey, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) alliance led by jihadists of Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, had on Saturday still not responded.

Syria rebel faction rejects Idlib deal

A Syrian rebel alliance has not pulled any heavy arms from the country's north, its spokesman told AFP Sunday, denying reports it had begun implementing a demilitarisation deal there.

Moscow and Ankara reached a deal earlier this month to create a buffer zone around the opposition stronghold of Idlib that would be free of both jihadists and heavy arms.

The National Liberation Front, a pro-Turkey rebel alliance, welcomed the deal, but said Sunday it had not yet moved any heavy arms from the planned zone.

"There have been no withdrawals of heavy weapons from any area or any front. This report is denied, completely denied," NLF spokesman Naji Mustafa told AFP.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor had earlier said one faction of the NLF began withdrawing its heavy weapons under a Turkish-Russian agreement to create a buffer zone in the area.

It said Faylaq al-Rahman, whose fighters number between 8,500 and 10,000, were leaving areas in the planned zone on Sunday "with heavy weapons, including tanks and cannons".

A spokesman for Faylaq al-Rahman also told AFP on Sunday it had not moved any forces or arms.

"There have been no changes in the location of weapons or redistribution of fighters, even as we remain committed to the agreement reached in (the Russian resort of) Sochi," said Sayf al-Raad.

On September 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to set up a demilitarised zone about 15 to 20 kilometres wide ringing around Idlib.

All factions in the planned buffer zone must hand over their heavy weapons by October 10, and radical groups must withdraw by October 15, according to the agreement. 
&nbsp;

A Syrian rebel alliance has not pulled any heavy arms from the country's north, its spokesman told AFP Sunday, denying reports it had begun implementing a demilitarisation deal there.

A Syrian rebel alliance has not pulled any heavy arms from the country's north, its spokesman told AFP Sunday, denying reports it had begun implementing a demilitarisation deal there. Moscow and Ankara reached a deal earlier this month to create a buffer zone around the opposition stronghold of Idlib that would be free of both jihadists and heavy arms. The National Liberation Front, a pro-Turkey rebel alliance, welcomed the deal, but said Sunday it had not yet moved any heavy arms from the planned zone. "There have been no withdrawals of heavy weapons from any area or any front. This report is denied, completely denied," NLF spokesman Naji Mustafa told AFP. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor had earlier said one faction of the NLF began withdrawing its heavy weapons under a Turkish-Russian agreement to create a buffer zone in the area. It said Faylaq al-Rahman, whose fighters number between 8,500 and 10,000, were leaving areas in the planned zone on Sunday "with heavy weapons, including tanks and cannons". A spokesman for Faylaq al-Rahman also told AFP on Sunday it had not moved any forces or arms. "There have been no changes in the location of weapons or redistribution of fighters, even as we remain committed to the agreement reached in (the Russian resort of) Sochi," said Sayf al-Raad. On September 17, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to set up a demilitarised zone about 15 to 20 kilometres wide ringing around Idlib. All factions in the planned buffer zone must hand over their heavy weapons by October 10, and radical groups must withdraw by October 15, according to the agreement.

Syria rebels deny pulling arms under Turkey-Russia deal

More than 18,000 people, nearly half of them civilians, have been killed in Russian air strikes on Syria since Moscow began its game-changing intervention three years ago, a monitor said.

Russia, a steadfast ally of Syria's ruling regime, began carrying out bombing raids in the country on September 30, 2015 -- more than four years into the devastating conflict.

Since then, they have killed 18,096 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

"That number includes 7,988 civilians, or nearly half of the total," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman.&nbsp;

Another 5,233 Islamic State fighters were also killed in Russian strikes, with the rest of the dead including other rebels, Islamists, and jihadists, the Britain-based monitor said.

Russia has operated a naval base in Syria's coastal Tartus province for decades, but expanded its operations to the nearby Hmeimim airbase in 2015.

It also has special forces and military police units on the ground in government-controlled parts of the country.

The air strikes were crucial in helping troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad retake swathes of the country, including second city Aleppo in 2016 and areas around Damascus, the rural centre, and the south this year alone.

"The regime controlled just 26 per cent of Syrian territory" when Russia intervened, said Abdel Rahman, compared with close to two-thirds now.

But human rights groups and Western governments have criticised Russia's air war in Syria, saying it bombs indiscriminately and targets civilian infrastructure including hospitals.

In addition to the Russian and Syrian air forces, warplanes from the US-led coalition fighting IS have also been carrying out bombing raids on Syria since September 2014.

Last week, the Observatory said that US-led coalition air strikes on Syria had killed more than 3,300 civilians since the alliance began operations against IS targets there in 2014.

The Observatory, which relies on sources inside Syria for its reports, says it determines whose planes carried out strikes according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions involved.

More than 18,000 people, nearly half of them civilians, have been killed in Russian air strikes on Syria since Moscow began its game-changing intervention three years ago, a monitor said.

More than 18,000 people, nearly half of them civilians, have been killed in Russian air strikes on Syria since Moscow began its game-changing intervention three years ago, a monitor said. Russia, a steadfast ally of Syria's ruling regime, began carrying out bombing raids in the country on September 30, 2015 -- more than four years into the devastating conflict. Since then, they have killed 18,096 people, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "That number includes 7,988 civilians, or nearly half of the total," said Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman. Another 5,233 Islamic State fighters were also killed in Russian strikes, with the rest of the dead including other rebels, Islamists, and jihadists, the Britain-based monitor said. Russia has operated a naval base in Syria's coastal Tartus province for decades, but expanded its operations to the nearby Hmeimim airbase in 2015. It also has special forces and military police units on the ground in government-controlled parts of the country. The air strikes were crucial in helping troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad retake swathes of the country, including second city Aleppo in 2016 and areas around Damascus, the rural centre, and the south this year alone. "The regime controlled just 26 per cent of Syrian territory" when Russia intervened, said Abdel Rahman, compared with close to two-thirds now. But human rights groups and Western governments have criticised Russia's air war in Syria, saying it bombs indiscriminately and targets civilian infrastructure including hospitals. In addition to the Russian and Syrian air forces, warplanes from the US-led coalition fighting IS have also been carrying out bombing raids on Syria since September 2014. Last week, the Observatory said that US-led coalition air strikes on Syria had killed more than 3,300 civilians since the alliance began operations against IS targets there in 2014. The Observatory, which relies on sources inside Syria for its reports, says it determines whose planes carried out strikes according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions involved.

Three years of Russia strikes on Syria kill 18,000: Monitor

Pro-Turkey rebels began Sunday withdrawing from areas in northern Syria under a deal brokered by Ankara and Moscow to avert a large-scale military assault on the country's last major opposition stronghold, a monitor said.

"Units from Faylaq al-Sham al-Islami began pulling out of areas in the southern countryside of Aleppo and the western suburbs of Aleppo city with heavy weapons, including tanks and cannons," said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The pullback is in line with a plan agreed this month between regime ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey to avert a large-scale government offensive on Idlib province and surrounding rebel territory, which included setting up a demilitarised zone.

Pro-Turkey rebels began Sunday withdrawing from areas in northern Syria under a deal brokered by Ankara and Moscow to avert a large-scale military assault on the country's last major opposition stronghold, a monitor said.

Pro-Turkey rebels began Sunday withdrawing from areas in northern Syria under a deal brokered by Ankara and Moscow to avert a large-scale military assault on the country's last major opposition stronghold, a monitor said. "Units from Faylaq al-Sham al-Islami began pulling out of areas in the southern countryside of Aleppo and the western suburbs of Aleppo city with heavy weapons, including tanks and cannons," said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The pullback is in line with a plan agreed this month between regime ally Russia and rebel backer Turkey to avert a large-scale government offensive on Idlib province and surrounding rebel territory, which included setting up a demilitarised zone.

Pro-Turkey rebels in north Syria begin withdrawing under deal: Monitor

Syria's foreign minister on Saturday denounced US, French and Turkish forces operating in his country as "occupying forces" and demanded that they leave immediately.

Addressing the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem also called on Syrian refugees to come home, even though the country's war is now in its eighth year.

Moualem, who also serves as deputy prime minister, said the foreign forces were on Syrian soil illegally, under the pretext of fighting terrorism, and "will be dealt with accordingly."

"They must withdraw immediately and without any conditions," he told the assembly.

Moualem insisted that the "war on terror is almost over" in Syria, where more than 360,000 people have died since 2011, with millions more uprooted from their homes.

He said Damascus would continue "fighting this sacred battle until we purge all Syrian territories" of both terror groups and "any illegal foreign presence."

The United States has some 2,000 troops in Syria, mainly training and advising both Kurdish forces and Syrian Arabs opposed to President Bashar al-Assad.

France has more than 1,000 troops on the ground in the war-wracked country.

On the issue of refugees, Moualem said the conditions were fine for them to return, and he blamed "some western countries" for "spreading irrational fears" that prompted refugees to stay away.

"We have called upon the international community and humanitarian organizations to facilitate these returns," he said. "They are politicizing what should be a purely humanitarian issue."

The United States and the European Union have warned that there will be no reconstruction aid for Syria until there is a political agreement between Assad and the opposition to end the war.

UN diplomats say a recent agreement between Russia and Turkey to set up a buffer zone in the last major rebel stronghold of Idlib has created an opportunity to press ahead with political talks.

The Russian-Turkish deal averted a large-scale assault by Russian-backed Syrian forces on the province, where three million people live.

Moualem however stressed that the agreement had "clear deadlines" and expressed hope that military action will target jihadists including fighters from the Al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, who "will be eradicated."

UN envoy Staffan de Mistura is hoping to soon convene the first meetings of a new committee comprised of government and opposition members to draft a post-war constitution for Syria and pave the way to elections.

Moualem laid out conditions for the Syrian government's participation in the committee, saying the panel's work should be restricted "to reviewing the articles of the current constitution," and warned against interference.

Syria's foreign minister on Saturday denounced US, French and Turkish forces operating in his country as "occupying forces" and demanded that they leave immediately.

Syria's foreign minister on Saturday denounced US, French and Turkish forces operating in his country as "occupying forces" and demanded that they leave immediately. Addressing the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem also called on Syrian refugees to come home, even though the country's war is now in its eighth year. Moualem, who also serves as deputy prime minister, said the foreign forces were on Syrian soil illegally, under the pretext of fighting terrorism, and "will be dealt with accordingly." "They must withdraw immediately and without any conditions," he told the assembly. Moualem insisted that the "war on terror is almost over" in Syria, where more than 360,000 people have died since 2011, with millions more uprooted from their homes. He said Damascus would continue "fighting this sacred battle until we purge all Syrian territories" of both terror groups and "any illegal foreign presence." The United States has some 2,000 troops in Syria, mainly training and advising both Kurdish forces and Syrian Arabs opposed to President Bashar al-Assad. France has more than 1,000 troops on the ground in the war-wracked country. On the issue of refugees, Moualem said the conditions were fine for them to return, and he blamed "some western countries" for "spreading irrational fears" that prompted refugees to stay away. "We have called upon the international community and humanitarian organizations to facilitate these returns," he said. "They are politicizing what should be a purely humanitarian issue." The United States and the European Union have warned that there will be no reconstruction aid for Syria until there is a political agreement between Assad and the opposition to end the war. UN diplomats say a recent agreement between Russia and Turkey to set up a buffer zone in the last major rebel stronghold of Idlib has created an opportunity to press ahead with political talks. The Russian-Turkish deal averted a large-scale assault by Russian-backed Syrian forces on the province, where three million people live. Moualem however stressed that the agreement had "clear deadlines" and expressed hope that military action will target jihadists including fighters from the Al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, who "will be eradicated." UN envoy Staffan de Mistura is hoping to soon convene the first meetings of a new committee comprised of government and opposition members to draft a post-war constitution for Syria and pave the way to elections. Moualem laid out conditions for the Syrian government's participation in the committee, saying the panel's work should be restricted "to reviewing the articles of the current constitution," and warned against interference.

Syria calls on US, French, Turkish forces to withdraw immediately

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday Moscow had started delivering the S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Syria and warned Western powers of trying to undermine UN-led efforts to end the seven-year conflict.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had said on Monday the system would be delivered to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces in two weeks despite strong Israeli and United States objections. A week previously, Moscow had accused Israel of indirectly causing the downing of a Russian military jet in Syria.

"The delivery started already and as President (Vladimir)Putin said, after that incident ... the measures that we will take will be devoted to ensuring 100 per cent safety and security of our men," Lavrov told a news conference at the United Nations.

Russia, along with Iran, has helped Assad recover huge amounts of lost territory in Syria without persuading him to agree to any political reforms. It has also pushed its own talks with Iran and Turkey, known as the Astana process, as UN-led peace negotiations have stalled.

Some diplomats have said the Israeli incident and a Turkish Russian deal to suspend an offensive on the last rebel-held stronghold of Idlib could provide a window to push for the implementation of UN&nbsp;Security Council resolution 2254 that covers ending conflict in Syria.

The UN&nbsp;Security Council, which includes Russia and the United States, has mandated UN&nbsp;envoy Staffan de Mistura to get a deal on a new constitution, new elections and a reform of Syria's governance.

De Mistura's first task is the formation of a constitutional committee to decide whom to pick. He has said he will select about 50 people, including supporters of the government, the opposition and independents to participate, but so far the Syrian government has rejected the idea.

Meeting in New York on Thursday, foreign ministers from the United States, Egypt, France, Germany, Jordan, Britain and Saudi Arabia called on de Mistura to convene the constitutional committee and report back on progress by the end of October.

Lavrov accused the group of trying to undermine the Astana efforts and putting pressure on de Mistura so that they could impose their own resolution of the conflict, describing it as "a grave mistake."

"This is aimed at undermining all that was done at Astana process and not the fact the Syrians decide what country they are going to live in but the architecture agreed on by foreign powers," Lavrov said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday Moscow had started delivering the S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Syria and warned Western powers of trying to undermine UN-led efforts to end the seven-year conflict.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday Moscow had started delivering the S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Syria and warned Western powers of trying to undermine UN-led efforts to end the seven-year conflict. Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had said on Monday the system would be delivered to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces in two weeks despite strong Israeli and United States objections. A week previously, Moscow had accused Israel of indirectly causing the downing of a Russian military jet in Syria. "The delivery started already and as President (Vladimir)Putin said, after that incident ... the measures that we will take will be devoted to ensuring 100 per cent safety and security of our men," Lavrov told a news conference at the United Nations. Russia, along with Iran, has helped Assad recover huge amounts of lost territory in Syria without persuading him to agree to any political reforms. It has also pushed its own talks with Iran and Turkey, known as the Astana process, as UN-led peace negotiations have stalled. Some diplomats have said the Israeli incident and a Turkish Russian deal to suspend an offensive on the last rebel-held stronghold of Idlib could provide a window to push for the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2254 that covers ending conflict in Syria. The UN Security Council, which includes Russia and the United States, has mandated UN envoy Staffan de Mistura to get a deal on a new constitution, new elections and a reform of Syria's governance. De Mistura's first task is the formation of a constitutional committee to decide whom to pick. He has said he will select about 50 people, including supporters of the government, the opposition and independents to participate, but so far the Syrian government has rejected the idea. Meeting in New York on Thursday, foreign ministers from the United States, Egypt, France, Germany, Jordan, Britain and Saudi Arabia called on de Mistura to convene the constitutional committee and report back on progress by the end of October. Lavrov accused the group of trying to undermine the Astana efforts and putting pressure on de Mistura so that they could impose their own resolution of the conflict, describing it as "a grave mistake." "This is aimed at undermining all that was done at Astana process and not the fact the Syrians decide what country they are going to live in but the architecture agreed on by foreign powers," Lavrov said.

Russia begins missile system delivery to Syria, warns West on peace talks

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/merkel-plans-meet-macron-putin-erdogan-syria-october-168197">German Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to meet Macron, Putin, Erdogan on Syria in October</a>

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday she and the leaders of Turkey, Russia and France planned to hold a summit next month on the situation in war-ravaged Syria.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supriya-sule-says-pawar-has-been-misunderstood-rafale-168216">Supriya Sule says Pawar has been misunderstood on Rafale remarks</a>

NCP leader Supriya Sule on Friday said party chief Sharad Pawar`s comment on the Prime Minister and the Rafale deal have been misunderstood as he has actually demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into it.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/smartphone-users-india-consuming-average-1gb-data-day-report-168206">Smartphone users in India consuming average 1GB data a day: Report</a>

Smartphone users in India are using up to one 1GB data a day, jumping from an average use of 4GB a month before, a Neilson India report said.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-panel-heads-vote-trumps-supreme-court-nominee-brett-kavanaugh-168163">US Senate panel heads to vote on Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh</a>

Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to a lifetime seat on the US Supreme Court hung in the balance on Friday after a jarring and raucous hearing into sexual misconduct allegations against him.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-rocked-75-magnitude-quake-tsunami-warning-issued-168167">Indonesia rocked by 7.5 magnitude quake, tsunami warning called off</a>

Indonesia on Friday was struck by a very strong 7.5 magnitude earthquake, news agency AFP reported citing US Geological Survey.

&nbsp;

German Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to meet Macron, Putin, Erdogan on Syria in October German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday she and the leaders of Turkey, Russia and France planned to hold a summit next month on the situation in war-ravaged Syria.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel plans to meet Macron, Putin, Erdogan on Syria in October German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday she and the leaders of Turkey, Russia and France planned to hold a summit next month on the situation in war-ravaged Syria. Supriya Sule says Pawar has been misunderstood on Rafale remarks NCP leader Supriya Sule on Friday said party chief Sharad Pawar`s comment on the Prime Minister and the Rafale deal have been misunderstood as he has actually demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into it. Smartphone users in India consuming average 1GB data a day: Report Smartphone users in India are using up to one 1GB data a day, jumping from an average use of 4GB a month before, a Neilson India report said. US Senate panel heads to vote on Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to a lifetime seat on the US Supreme Court hung in the balance on Friday after a jarring and raucous hearing into sexual misconduct allegations against him. Indonesia rocked by 7.5 magnitude quake, tsunami warning called off Indonesia on Friday was struck by a very strong 7.5 magnitude earthquake, news agency AFP reported citing US Geological Survey.

What can be done when a state acts against its citizens? Or, put slightly differently, do people of and within a given state have recourse to redressal when their state turns against them? &nbsp;No is the sad answer. The questions posed here are not academic. These are the real world, hardnosed questions and issues which are panning out all too poignantly in a country which has become emblematic of peoples’ epic helplessness and the international community’s stoic but hypocritical inaction. The reference is to Syria and its peoples who have been trapped in the crosshairs of a vicious conflict that now has morphed into a veritable battlefield for the panning out of competing geopolitical interests.

The victims, with no clear end game in sight, have been the people of Syria, killed, injured or displaced by the vortex of this deadly conflict. The so called international community not just watches as a mute spectator but, in reality, the Syrian conflict or even war, has provided its major states opportunity to expand their respective interests. Needless to say, this politics of opportunism goes against the high minded and lofty-sounding principles that the so called international community professes and, at times, loudly proclaims. &nbsp;All this raises a bevvy of questions: what explains the impunity of states when they act against their people? Why is the international community “helpless” in cases like these? What explains the dissonance between the international community’s proclamations and its (in)action? &nbsp;Last but not the least, do then people have to be at the sufferance of a state that goes against them? And, with reference to the “case” in contention, will the people of Syria ever have a respite from war, misery and depredation?

The thrust of the answer lies in the summum bonum of international politics and system: the state and its concomitant, sovereignty. The fundamental unit of the international system is the state and sovereignty is the bedrock of the state. This system and its corollaries, accruing from the Treaty of Westphalia has till now held its ground, so to speak. While there are some salubrious aspects to it but, it would appear, that the main failing of the Westphalian system is its privileging of the state over people. State sovereignty then acts as a shield for the state under which a given state can do anything, without accountability to anyone. (This happens because the international system and international relations are anarchic. That is, there is no higher authority in the system to which states can take recourse to). States then are free to do anything within their sovereign jurisdictions and frontiers.

&nbsp;The tragic Syrian saga corresponds to sovereignty as a shield, under which a regime has not only gone against its people but murdered, gassed and displaced them.&nbsp;

The question that may be posed here is that is not international law a binding constraint on states? The answer again is no. International law is merely a normative corpus of laws that hardly goes against a state. And, states merely or largely pay lip service to it. International law is also handicapped by the absence of an appellate authority where people can take their case(s) to. The International Criminal Court of Justice exists but yet again sovereignty is a major constraint here along with the reluctance or even obstructionism by major states. The recent threats against and bullying toward the ICJ by United States national security advisor, John Bolton, illustrate the point.

States’ sovereignty and prerogatives thereof win over the safety and security of the people. Obiter dictum, public opinion as a rallying force against states’ atrocities against their people is a pious and a vain wish. Unless and until a given state's interests (howsoever defined) are not affected, it will not act. The state system then, despite proclamations to the contrary, is slanted and configured against people. &nbsp;As a corollary, the so called international community is a fiction maintained perhaps for rhetorical purposes.

Against this backdrop, and with reference to Syria, its people are doomed to suffer and their collective fate is uncertain. But, this assertion must be qualified. Syria and its peoples are doomed to be trapped in the vortex of war and depredation, till a power state decides to act for them.

The reference here is not to the so called Responsibility to Protect (R2P), another vain construct that flounders on the rocks of reality but humanitarian intervention, of a military nature. But, humanitarian intervention, appears to be an oxymoron, for states hardly ever act out of altruism. They act when their interests are at stake. However, there has been an odd case of humanitarian intervention or so in the recent past. If this is the case, why has not this happened in the case of Syria? The reason might be civilizational or cultural. 
 
Syrians, by and large, are Muslims so the world powers might not be amenable to intervene military in the conflict. &nbsp;However, the overwhelming reason appears to be there are no stakes for Great powers to intervene except as players to advance their interests. To put a semantic twist to it, Great Powers might also be an oxymoronic phrase. 
 
There might be powerful powers, if this phrase makes sense but no great powers for greatness&nbsp;is not something that accrues from the metrics of power but sheer and pure humanity which is conspicuously missing from any so called Great power. &nbsp;Greatness is earned by what an individual, persons, groups or even states can do for their fellow humans even if they are “different”. There, alas, is no such great power, in the world, that can offer respite and succour to the blighted people of Syria. They will suffer till perhaps Providence intervenes!

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

What can be done when a state acts against its citizens? Or, put slightly differently, do people of and within a given state have recourse to redressal when their state turns against them?

What can be done when a state acts against its citizens? Or, put slightly differently, do people of and within a given state have recourse to redressal when their state turns against them? No is the sad answer. The questions posed here are not academic. These are the real world, hardnosed questions and issues which are panning out all too poignantly in a country which has become emblematic of peoples’ epic helplessness and the international community’s stoic but hypocritical inaction. The reference is to Syria and its peoples who have been trapped in the crosshairs of a vicious conflict that now has morphed into a veritable battlefield for the panning out of competing geopolitical interests. The victims, with no clear end game in sight, have been the people of Syria, killed, injured or displaced by the vortex of this deadly conflict. The so called international community not just watches as a mute spectator but, in reality, the Syrian conflict or even war, has provided its major states opportunity to expand their respective interests. Needless to say, this politics of opportunism goes against the high minded and lofty-sounding principles that the so called international community professes and, at times, loudly proclaims. All this raises a bevvy of questions: what explains the impunity of states when they act against their people? Why is the international community “helpless” in cases like these? What explains the dissonance between the international community’s proclamations and its (in)action? Last but not the least, do then people have to be at the sufferance of a state that goes against them? And, with reference to the “case” in contention, will the people of Syria ever have a respite from war, misery and depredation? The thrust of the answer lies in the summum bonum of international politics and system: the state and its concomitant, sovereignty. The fundamental unit of the international system is the state and sovereignty is the bedrock of the state. This system and its corollaries, accruing from the Treaty of Westphalia has till now held its ground, so to speak. While there are some salubrious aspects to it but, it would appear, that the main failing of the Westphalian system is its privileging of the state over people. State sovereignty then acts as a shield for the state under which a given state can do anything, without accountability to anyone. (This happens because the international system and international relations are anarchic. That is, there is no higher authority in the system to which states can take recourse to). States then are free to do anything within their sovereign jurisdictions and frontiers. The tragic Syrian saga corresponds to sovereignty as a shield, under which a regime has not only gone against its people but murdered, gassed and displaced them. The question that may be posed here is that is not international law a binding constraint on states? The answer again is no. International law is merely a normative corpus of laws that hardly goes against a state. And, states merely or largely pay lip service to it. International law is also handicapped by the absence of an appellate authority where people can take their case(s) to. The International Criminal Court of Justice exists but yet again sovereignty is a major constraint here along with the reluctance or even obstructionism by major states. The recent threats against and bullying toward the ICJ by United States national security advisor, John Bolton, illustrate the point. States’ sovereignty and prerogatives thereof win over the safety and security of the people. Obiter dictum, public opinion as a rallying force against states’ atrocities against their people is a pious and a vain wish. Unless and until a given state's interests (howsoever defined) are not affected, it will not act. The state system then, despite proclamations to the contrary, is slanted and configured against people. As a corollary, the so called international community is a fiction maintained perhaps for rhetorical purposes. Against this backdrop, and with reference to Syria, its people are doomed to suffer and their collective fate is uncertain. But, this assertion must be qualified. Syria and its peoples are doomed to be trapped in the vortex of war and depredation, till a power state decides to act for them. The reference here is not to the so called Responsibility to Protect (R2P), another vain construct that flounders on the rocks of reality but humanitarian intervention, of a military nature. But, humanitarian intervention, appears to be an oxymoron, for states hardly ever act out of altruism. They act when their interests are at stake. However, there has been an odd case of humanitarian intervention or so in the recent past. If this is the case, why has not this happened in the case of Syria? The reason might be civilizational or cultural. Syrians, by and large, are Muslims so the world powers might not be amenable to intervene military in the conflict. However, the overwhelming reason appears to be there are no stakes for Great powers to intervene except as players to advance their interests. To put a semantic twist to it, Great Powers might also be an oxymoronic phrase. There might be powerful powers, if this phrase makes sense but no great powers for greatness is not something that accrues from the metrics of power but sheer and pure humanity which is conspicuously missing from any so called Great power. Greatness is earned by what an individual, persons, groups or even states can do for their fellow humans even if they are “different”. There, alas, is no such great power, in the world, that can offer respite and succour to the blighted people of Syria. They will suffer till perhaps Providence intervenes! (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The international community has failed Syria

A top Syrian official has said a new air defence system from ally Russia will force Israel to "think carefully" before carrying out any more air strikes in the country.

Moscow announced on Monday it would deliver the advanced S-300 air defence system, a week after the Syrian military downed a Russian plane by mistake following an Israeli air strike.

Russia has blamed the friendly fire on Israeli pilots using the larger Russian plane as "cover".

Late Tuesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Meqdad said Damascus welcomed the delivery of the advanced S-300 system promised to arrive within two weeks.

It replaces Syria's existing Russian-built S-200 system, which dates back to the Soviet era, in a move that had been due to take place in 2013 but was held up by Russia at Israel's request.

"I think that Israel, which is accustomed to carrying out many attacks under different pretexts, will have to think carefully about attacking Syria again," Meqdad said.

In recent years, Israel has carried out repeated air strikes in war-torn Syria against Iranian targets and what is says are advanced arm deliveries to Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah.

Iran and Hezbollah are allies of President Bashar al-Assad in the seven-year civil war.

"Let the Israelis try, we will defend ourselves as we always do," the state SANA news agency quoted Meqdad as saying.

The downing of the Russian plane late Monday last week killed all 15 soldiers on board, after an Israeli plane targeted a military position in the northwestern province of Latakia.

The accident was the deadliest friendly fire between Syria and Russia since Moscow's game-changing military intervention in the war in 2015.

More than 360,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since the conflict erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

A top Syrian official has said a new air defence system from ally Russia will force Israel to "think carefully" before carrying out any more air strikes in the country.

A top Syrian official has said a new air defence system from ally Russia will force Israel to "think carefully" before carrying out any more air strikes in the country. Moscow announced on Monday it would deliver the advanced S-300 air defence system, a week after the Syrian military downed a Russian plane by mistake following an Israeli air strike. Russia has blamed the friendly fire on Israeli pilots using the larger Russian plane as "cover". Late Tuesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Meqdad said Damascus welcomed the delivery of the advanced S-300 system promised to arrive within two weeks. It replaces Syria's existing Russian-built S-200 system, which dates back to the Soviet era, in a move that had been due to take place in 2013 but was held up by Russia at Israel's request. "I think that Israel, which is accustomed to carrying out many attacks under different pretexts, will have to think carefully about attacking Syria again," Meqdad said. In recent years, Israel has carried out repeated air strikes in war-torn Syria against Iranian targets and what is says are advanced arm deliveries to Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah. Iran and Hezbollah are allies of President Bashar al-Assad in the seven-year civil war. "Let the Israelis try, we will defend ourselves as we always do," the state SANA news agency quoted Meqdad as saying. The downing of the Russian plane late Monday last week killed all 15 soldiers on board, after an Israeli plane targeted a military position in the northwestern province of Latakia. The accident was the deadliest friendly fire between Syria and Russia since Moscow's game-changing military intervention in the war in 2015. More than 360,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since the conflict erupted in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Syria says new air defences will make Israel think twice

The world's chemical weapons watchdog said Wednesday deadly sarin and chlorine were used in two separate attacks in the village of Latamneh in northwestern Syria in March last year.

"Sarin was very likely used as a chemical weapon in the south" of Latamneh on 24 March 2017, the Hague-based Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said in a statement.

The&nbspfact-finding mission "also concluded that chlorine was very likely used as a chemical weapon" at Latamneh's hospital and surrounding area on 25 March 2017.

The fact-finding mission "also concluded that chlorine was very likely used as a chemical weapon" at Latamneh's hospital

The world's chemical weapons watchdog said Wednesday deadly sarin and chlorine were used in two separate attacks in the village of Latamneh in northwestern Syria in March last year. "Sarin was very likely used as a chemical weapon in the south" of Latamneh on 24 March 2017, the Hague-based Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said in a statement. The&nbspfact-finding mission "also concluded that chlorine was very likely used as a chemical weapon" at Latamneh's hospital and surrounding area on 25 March 2017.

Sarin, chlorine used in two attacks in Syria last year: Chemical weapons watchdog

Regime forces killed at least 15 civilians on Sunday in air strikes carried out in northwestern Syria in apparent retaliation for a jihadist attack on two besieged government-held villages, a monitor said.

The bombing raids hit a string of towns and villages in the northwestern province of Idlib, which is almost entirely controlled by various jihadist and hardline rebels.

In the town of Taftanaz the strikes killed 10 civilians, including four children, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said strikes had also hit near a children's hospital, putting it out of service.

Five other civilians were killed in raids that hit other towns.

The air strikes came a day after jihadists from Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate launched an attack on Fuaa and Kafraya, two villages held by the regime but cut off by hardline forces.

Late Saturday, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied fighters shelled Fuaa and Kafraya heavily and clashed with local fighters.

"This is the fiercest attack in around three years," Abdel Rahman said, adding that Sunday's deadly air strikes were in response to the jihadist attack.

Six Syrian pro-regime fighters and at least three from HTS were killed in the fighting, which continued on Sunday.

Syrian state news agency SANA also reported Saturday's attack, and said local fighters were able to push back the jihadists.

Fuaa and Kafraya are the only two places in Syria currently designated as besieged by the United Nations after the government recaptured the Yarmuk Palestinian camp in southern Damascus.

The villages are home to an estimated 8,100 people, most of them Shiite Muslims. They came under siege in 2015, when rebels ousted regime forces from a vast majority of Idlib province.

Since then, the mainstream opposition's influence has dwindled as jihadists solidified their grip on the province, and regime forces have recaptured an eastern sliver of Idlib.

HTS and its allies control around 60 per cent of the province, its local rivals hold about a third, and the regime controls about 10 per cent, according to the Observatory.

Now, even the Islamic State group is conducting hit-and-run attacks in Idlib against its HTS rival.

Last week, clashes between HTS and an IS sleeper cell made up of Iraqi jihadists left more than two dozen fighters dead, mostly from IS.

In retaliation, the IS cell executed five HTS fighters it had abducted in Idlib, the Observatory said. HTS also killed six IS members it had captured in the clashes. Siege tactics have been used throughout Syria's seven-year conflict, mostly by the government.

Troops have employed the tactic alongside heavy bombing to cut off food and medicine to rebel-held areas, then coerce people to agree to leave in population transfers.

Idlib, which lies on the border with Turkey, has seen its population balloon to around two million people in recent years as fighters and civilians evacuated from other opposition areas are dumped there.

It was designated last year as a de-escalation zone, but violence has been creeping up again.&nbsp

The bombing raids hit a string of towns and villages in the northwestern province of Idlib, which is almost entirely controlled by various jihadist and hardline rebels

Regime forces killed at least 15 civilians on Sunday in air strikes carried out in northwestern Syria in apparent retaliation for a jihadist attack on two besieged government-held villages, a monitor said. The bombing raids hit a string of towns and villages in the northwestern province of Idlib, which is almost entirely controlled by various jihadist and hardline rebels. In the town of Taftanaz the strikes killed 10 civilians, including four children, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said strikes had also hit near a children's hospital, putting it out of service. Five other civilians were killed in raids that hit other towns. The air strikes came a day after jihadists from Al-Qaeda's former Syrian affiliate launched an attack on Fuaa and Kafraya, two villages held by the regime but cut off by hardline forces. Late Saturday, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied fighters shelled Fuaa and Kafraya heavily and clashed with local fighters. "This is the fiercest attack in around three years," Abdel Rahman said, adding that Sunday's deadly air strikes were in response to the jihadist attack. Six Syrian pro-regime fighters and at least three from HTS were killed in the fighting, which continued on Sunday. Syrian state news agency SANA also reported Saturday's attack, and said local fighters were able to push back the jihadists. Fuaa and Kafraya are the only two places in Syria currently designated as besieged by the United Nations after the government recaptured the Yarmuk Palestinian camp in southern Damascus. The villages are home to an estimated 8,100 people, most of them Shiite Muslims. They came under siege in 2015, when rebels ousted regime forces from a vast majority of Idlib province. Since then, the mainstream opposition's influence has dwindled as jihadists solidified their grip on the province, and regime forces have recaptured an eastern sliver of Idlib. HTS and its allies control around 60 per cent of the province, its local rivals hold about a third, and the regime controls about 10 per cent, according to the Observatory. Now, even the Islamic State group is conducting hit-and-run attacks in Idlib against its HTS rival. Last week, clashes between HTS and an IS sleeper cell made up of Iraqi jihadists left more than two dozen fighters dead, mostly from IS. In retaliation, the IS cell executed five HTS fighters it had abducted in Idlib, the Observatory said. HTS also killed six IS members it had captured in the clashes. Siege tactics have been used throughout Syria's seven-year conflict, mostly by the government. Troops have employed the tactic alongside heavy bombing to cut off food and medicine to rebel-held areas, then coerce people to agree to leave in population transfers. Idlib, which lies on the border with Turkey, has seen its population balloon to around two million people in recent years as fighters and civilians evacuated from other opposition areas are dumped there. It was designated last year as a de-escalation zone, but violence has been creeping up again.

Syria strikes kill 15 civilians after jihadist attack: Monitor

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an investigation of air strikes believed to have been carried out by Russian jets in Syria, killing dozens including children.

The air attack on the night of June 7 to 8 targeted the village of Zardana in Idlib province and left 44 dead including six children, according to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

In a statement, Guterres expressed "deep concern" about the strikes and called for a "full investigation into the attacks, especially allegations that there was also a second strike targeting first responders, to establish accountability."

He recalled that Idlib is part of the de-escalation agreement for Syria reached between Turkey, Russia and Iran and urged those guarantors to uphold their commitment.

Most of Idlib province is held by an array of Islamist and jihadist groups with only parts controlled by the Russian-backed government.

Since Russia intervened in its support in 2015, the government has regained control of around half of the country. More than 350,000 people have been killed in the Syrian war since it started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.&nbsp

The air attack on the night of June 7 to 8 targeted the village of Zardana in Idlib province and left 44 dead including six children, according to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an investigation of air strikes believed to have been carried out by Russian jets in Syria, killing dozens including children. The air attack on the night of June 7 to 8 targeted the village of Zardana in Idlib province and left 44 dead including six children, according to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. In a statement, Guterres expressed "deep concern" about the strikes and called for a "full investigation into the attacks, especially allegations that there was also a second strike targeting first responders, to establish accountability." He recalled that Idlib is part of the de-escalation agreement for Syria reached between Turkey, Russia and Iran and urged those guarantors to uphold their commitment. Most of Idlib province is held by an array of Islamist and jihadist groups with only parts controlled by the Russian-backed government. Since Russia intervened in its support in 2015, the government has regained control of around half of the country. More than 350,000 people have been killed in the Syrian war since it started in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

UN chief calls for investigation of Syria strikes

syria

Syria, News on Syria, stories on Syria, articles on Syria, Syria stories at Wion, Syria news, Syria latest news