Syria-Based Jihadi Clerics Celebrate Al-Sharaa’s Appointment As First Sunni President Of Syria In 54 Years, Canada-Based Pro-Al-Qaeda Cleric Declares Self-Appointed Dictator’s Presidency A ‘Disaster’

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]

Syrian Leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa Delivers ‘Victory Speech,’ Outlines Syria’s Future Roadmap, Announces Dissolution Of Ba’ath Party, Armed Factions Into New ‘Syrian Army’; Military Operations Command Declares Al-Sharaa President Of Syria During Transitional Phase

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 U.S. Will Not Need To Be Involved In War If It Supports Secular Ethnic Groups Against The Iranian Ayatollah’s Regime

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.

Mali: Léré, dans la région de Tombouctou, sous blocus jihadiste depuis deux mois

Le Jnim (Groupe de soutien à l’islam et aux musulmans), lié à al-Qaïda, avait décrété un embargo sur Léré le 29 novembre. La ville située à une soixantaine de kilomètres de la frontière mauritanienne est un important lieu de passage pour les voyageurs et les commerçants. Mais depuis deux mois, le calvaire des habitants se poursuit, dans le plus grand silence des autorités de transition.

Turkey’s soft power strategies and Islamophobia

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.

Sudan Crisis Lingers On, Remains Below the Radar of International Attention

Bottom Line Up Front

The conflict in Sudan has seen indiscriminate bombings, extrajudicial executions, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war and yet despite this, has remained on the back pages, overtaken by attention on Gaza and the war in Ukraine.

Before leaving office, the Biden administration and the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against both sides in the conflict—the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armes Forces (SAF), led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

US Moves To Redesignate Iran-Backed Houthis As Foreign Terrorist Organization

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.

Kurdish-Led Syrian Democratic Forces Battle Turkish Proxies Amid Calls for Their Dissolution

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.