Author: M Barbu

The situation in Syria remains highly volatile and complex, with various conflicts and tensions continuing to unfold across the country. In northern Syria, Turkish-occupied areas are experiencing rising tensions between mercenary groups over orders to disband and shift control, leading to military mobilizations. Meanwhile, the resurgence of ISIS has been marked by ambushes and attacks on Hezbollah-linked forces and pro-government militias. The international dimension is also in flux, with Ukrainian special forces reportedly targeting Russian military installations in Syria, and US military bases coming under rocket attacks. Amidst these developments, Syria’s internal crisis remains unresolved, as the Assad regime clings to power in a country devastated by war, economic collapse, and sanctions. The situation grows more precarious as Syria becomes a hub for regional drug trafficking and international fatigue sets in over the prolonged conflict.

Israel says the Syrian regime, aided directly by Iran, has established a secret plutonium production facility in Deir-ez-Zor as part of an undisclosed nuclear project.

The head of Israel’s atomic energy agency, Moshe Edri, has accused the Syrian regime of constructing a facility in Deir-ez-Zor to produce radioactive plutonium, with support from Iran.

This news roundup covers a series of developments related to the ongoing conflicts in Syria and its neighbouring regions. In Lebanon and Syria, Hezbollah members and others were wounded in a coordinated attack involving exploding pagers, which officials suspect was carried out by Israel. Meanwhile, the persistent use of torture in Syria continues despite recent legal efforts by Canada and the Netherlands at the International Court of Justice to hold the Syrian government accountable. Additionally, an op-ed discusses the risks of the United States withdrawing its forces from Iraq, which could allow the resurgence of ISIS in Syria. Finally, French cement company Lafarge faces legal challenges over its payments to ISIS during the Syrian civil war, raising questions about corporate complicity in crimes against humanity.

The KNC demanded the removal of the representative of the al-Amshat faction from the General Authority of the Coalition, according to Enab Baladi.

The Kurdish National Council (KNC) has suspended its involvement with the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SOC) following reports of attacks by military groups affiliated with the Syrian National Army (SNA) on Kurdish civilians in Afrin, northern Aleppo.

The 47th Regiment is one of the IRGC’s most significant military formations, DEIR EZZOR 24 says.

Local sources from the countryside of al-Bukamal, under the control of the Syrian regime and Iranian militias, reported that residents demanded the withdrawal of the 47th Regiment of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards on Tuesday.

In recent years, Türkiye has made significant strides in indigenizing its defense industry, emerging as a key arms exporter. The country’s advancements in producing high-quality, cost-effective defense equipment have bolstered its strategic influence in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and the Gulf. Turkish drones, notably the Bayraktar TB2, played a pivotal role in Azerbaijan’s sweeping victory over Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, showcasing the efficacy and sophistication of Turkish defense technology. Coming off a record year for defense exports in 2023, Türkiye is poised to continue its upward trajectory, albeit not without competition or challenges to its market share.

“Before el-Sissi, but also during his tenure, cars, motorcycles, clothes, drugs, medicines, alcoholic beverages, and weapons were smuggled through the Philadelphi Corridor over the years, lots of weapons: improved RPG-29 rockets that killed our soldiers in the Iron Swords War, hidden rocket parts, machine guns, mines, and more.” — Nadav Shragai, Israeli author and journalist, Israel Hayom, July 10, 2024.