Orientul Mijlociu

On January 29, 2025, a “Convention to Announce the Victory of the Syrian Revolution” was held in Damascus, where Ahmed Al-Sharaa aka Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani, who had served as leader of jihadi group Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), was announced interim president of Syria.[1] A “Statement Announcing the Victory of the Syrian Revolution” was also issued by the HTS-linked Military Operations Command, cancelling the Assad regime’s 2012 constitution, disbanding the People’s Assembly, and dissolving the previous regime’s military, security agencies and militias, as well as the Baath party and National Progressive Front. The statement also announced the dissolution of all rebel military factions and political and civilian institutions, merging them into those of the Syrian state.[2]

On January 29, 2025, Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa aka Abu Muhammad Al-Joulani, described as the “leader of the new Syrian administration,” delivered an address titled “Victory Speech.”[1] Al-Sharaa celebrated the triumph of the Syrian revolution, as he announces radical transformation marked by leadership change, political restructuring, economic recovery, and diplomatic reintegration.

The new Trump administration does not want war. Yet, if Iran becomes more aggressive and gets to the point of reaching a nuclear bomb, how can the Trump administration pursue a policy that will not need to send American troops to the Middle East?

The Islamic republic of Iran will not give up on its nuclear program. In that case, Israel will follow its Begin Doctrine, in order not to allow Tehran to get the atomic bomb. However, if Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the Islamic republic regime will be weakened but will not collapse and will resume its subversive activities in the region and in the world.

Although the Turkish state’s interest in Turkish migrants and children born in foreign countries is a new thing, a noticeable approach has emerged since the late 2000s and the early 2010s. This new phase, which was qualified by the systematization of rapid institutionalization and soft power strategies, foresees the creation of new state institutions; open interest in mobilizing youth; the expiation of international influence in the educational, cultural and religious fields of various state and civil society actors; and finally (not the last one), a wider approach of diaspora framed with religious unity.

The United States has begun the process to again declare the Iran-backed Huthi rebel group of Yemen as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), restoring the designation President Donald Trump set out during his first term.

“Supported by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, which arms and trains terrorist organizations worldwide, the Huthis have fired at U.S. Navy warships dozens of times since 2023, endangering American men and women in uniform,” a White House statement said on January 22.

Latest Developments

Battles Near Tishreen Dam Continue: Heavy fighting between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) around the Tishreen Dam in northeastern Syria was ongoing on January 21, the SDF said. According to the SDF, the Turkish-backed factions have launched intense shelling and drone strikes in the area. Since January 15, clashes between Kurdish forces and the Turkish-backed SNA in Aleppo Governorate have escalated, resulting in 18 fatalities amid ongoing artillery and drone exchanges.

Highlights:
Also Known As: al-Imam Hussein Brigade; Imam Hussein Brigade militia;

Country Of Origin: Syria

Leaders: Amjad al- Bahadli, the first commander

Key Members: Feras al-Mahdawi, Abu Ali al Assad

Operational Area: Syria, Iraq

Involved In: The “al-Imam Hussein Brigade” is a militia made up of sub-units (militias) primarily made up of Syrian operatives (Sunnis, Druze, and Shiites) and Iraqi operatives (of Shi’ite background).

Established In: August 2020

Also Known As: SAD, Companies of the Guardians of Blood;

Country Of Origin: Iraq

Operational Area: Iraq

Involved In: Armed attacks, Massacres, Assassinations, Bombings

General Info:

Saraya Awliya al-Dam, also referred to by the abbreviation SAD, is a Shi’ite pro-Iran militia based in Iraq. The organization is known for its counter-U.S. operations in Northern Iraq.

Usually, we would refrain from any racist notion, any attempt to accuse a large group on a religious basis, but in this case, we made very deep inquiries and made sure, that the statistics are sound. We had no alternative, but to publish the paper as it is.

Rape is rape and will be rape! Even if the motivation is supposedly of a fundamentalistic religious nature.