US Treasury sanctions Hezbollah-aligned officials including Franjieh as it intensifies pressure to disarm the Iran-backed militia – Ya Libnan
Share: File – Suleiman Frangieh (L) is shown with former slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah . Franjieh was Hezbollah’s presidential candidate but was unable to secure the votes needed to be elected by the Lebanese Parliament WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of For»»»
Syrian and Turkish military officials discuss greater defense cooperation
LONDON: A military delegation from the Syrian Arab Republic visited the National Defense University in Istanbul on Thursday, as Syria and Turkiye deepen their defense cooperation since the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in late 2024. The delegation, led by Maj. Gen. Salim Idris from Syria’s Ministry»»»
Lebanon receives assurances from Syria on non-interference after Trump remarks, official says
BEIRUT: Lebanon has received assurances from Syria that it will not interfere in Lebanese affairs, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri told Arab News on Thursday, rejecting suggestions that Damascus could play a role in confronting Hezbollah as fighting between Israel and the group continues. Mitri’s»»»
U.S. gas prices drop below $4 mark for first time since March 30 - UPI.com
The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the United States dropped below $4 Thursday, marking the first time prices have been this low since March 30. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo June 18 (UPI) -- The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the United States dropped below »»»
Israel seized more land from neighbors since 2023 than it has in decades
Over the past two and a half years, Israel has taken control of swaths of Gaza, Lebanon and Syria that amount to its biggest expansion of militarily occupied lands in decades. It is an area larger than many major cities — roughly 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) — and Israel has said it p»»»
Israel seized more land from neighbors since 2023 than it has in decades
JERUSALEM: Over the past two and a half years, Israel has taken control of swaths of Gaza, Lebanon and Syria that amount to its biggest expansion of militarily occupied lands in decades. It is an area larger than many major cities — roughly 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) — and Israel ha»»»
Senate committee advances bill to repeal Assad-era sanctions on Syria - UPI.com
People celebrate at the Umayyad Mosque following the collapse of the 61-year-long Baath regime in Syria and the end of the Assad family's rule in Damascus, Syria, on December 13, 2024. On Wednesday, a U.S. Senate committee advanced legislation to end Assad-era sanctions imposed on Syria. File Photo»»»
Syrian authorities arrest 10 Assad-era operatives in latest crackdown on regime remnants
DAMASCUS: Syrian security forces have arrested 10 remnants of the deposed Assad regime in a series of operations across the country, the latest in an ongoing campaign reported by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) to pursue former officials accused of crimes and abuses committed during the former g»»»
Trump says he talked to Syrian leader about taking on Hezbollah
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he had spoken to Syria’s leader about combatting Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, a day after criticizing Israel for killing too many civilians and not getting the job done. Asked at a Group of Seven summit in Evian-les-Bains, »»»
After war losses, Hezbollah seen gaining from Iran-US deal
BEIRUT/DUBAI: Iran’s interim deal with the US looks set to bolster Hezbollah’s political and financial hand in Lebanon, with Tehran promising more funding for its ally once cash starts to flow, according to four sources familiar with ties between Tehran and the group. A cash infusion to Hezbollah c»»»
Focus - In post-Assad Syria, displaced people await reconstruction
Syria has been particularly hard hit by the decline in global humanitarian aid, especially from the US. In the northwest of the country, hundreds of thousands of displaced people are still living in makeshift shelters. When the Assad regime fell, they hoped to be able to return home. But on seeing »»»
Syrian authorities arrest militiaman linked to Bashar Assad’s cousin
LONDON: Syrian authorities arrested a man who served as an office director for the cousin of former ruler Bashar Assad for his involvement in crimes targeting unarmed civilians last year. Wissam Saji Osman worked with Yisar Al-Assad, who led Al-Areen 313 Brigades, one of several paramilitary factio»»»
New initiative launched to redirect Gulf energy flows away from Strait toward Mediterranean
The extended disruption caused by the US-Iran conflict highlights a need for diversifying energy export routes to reduce dependency on shipping via the Strait of Hormuz. A new initiative launched by the Washington, DC-based New Lines Institute seeks to develop Syria and Turkey into major energy dis»»»
UN says 2.4 million refugees need resettling in 2027
GENEVA: Almost 2.4 million refugees will need resettling next year, the United Nations said on Tuesday, at a time when a number of countries have slashed resettlement spots. UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, warned of a dire shortage of options for such refugees, who cannot return home and face risks i»»»
Dutch court sentences Syrian to 26 years in prison for torture
THE HAGUE: A district court in The Hague on Monday sentenced to 26 years in prison a former pro-Assad militia member for committing crimes against humanity by torturing and raping prisoners more than a decade ago. The judges said it was established that 58-year-old Rafik A., whose last name was w»»»
Dutch court sentences Syrian to 26 years in prison for torture
THE HAGUE: A district court in The Hague on Monday sentenced to 26 years in prison a former pro-Assad militia member for committing crimes against humanity by torturing and raping prisoners more than a decade ago. The judges said it was established that 58-year-old Rafik A., whose last name was w»»»
UN rights chief says Syrian victims continue to demand justice and accountability
Geneva, June 15 (SANA) United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said thousands of victims and survivors in Syria continue to demand justice and accountability, stressing the importance of holding the ousted president (Assad) and other deposed regime’s officials accountable. Acc»»»
Syria warns against revenge attacks on Assad-era figures
DAMASCUS: Syrian authorities warned on Monday against acts of revenge targeting individuals accused of ties to deposed leader Bashar Assad’s rule, after protests calling for accountability and apparent acts of vigilante justice. Interior ministry spokesperson Noureddine Al-Baba told a news conferen»»»
From first-timers to semi-finalists: Arab teams in the World Cup
Four years ago, in Doha’s Souq Waqif, thousands gathered night after night in the colours of their national teams, supporting their countries in the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Speaking in the many accents of the Arab world, chanting and mingling, theirs was an unplanned harmony among supporters of Arab »»»
Syrian security forces capture ex-militia chief accused of war crimes, drug trafficking
DAMASCUS: Syrian security forces have arrested a former commander of the Al-Quds Brigade militia accused of involvement in war crimes, drug trafficking and abuses committed during the rule of former president Bashar Assad, the Interior Ministry announced on Sunday. The ministry said Abdulilah Ismai»»»
Syrian authorities seize 800,000 captagon pills in Homs and Deir Ezzor
LONDON: Syrian authorities seized 800,000 captagon pills and 60 kg of cannabis in the provinces of Homs and Deir Ezzor, the Interior Ministry said. The Syrian Drug Enforcement Administration, in coordination with Iraq’s General Directorate for Narcotics Affairs and Psychotropic Substances, arrested»»»
The US should not encourage Syria to enter Lebanon
On 7 June, US President Donald Trump remarked in an interview that he would “like to see a more surgical attack on Hezbollah...we can help with that, or we can recommend Syria...They have a very good leader (President Ahmed al-Sharaa)...and he would love to help.” In the days that followed, multipl»»»
What the discovery of Assad-era chemical weapons means for Syria
LONDON: A cache of previously undeclared chemical weapons from the Assad era has been uncovered by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ technical secretariat and Syria’s interim authorities, exposing a potential security threat should other remaining stockpiles fall into the wr»»»
Assad general wanted for human rights violations arrested
DAMASCUS: Syria’s Interior Ministry announced on Friday the arrest of a senior Assad intelligence official involved in violations committed against the Syrian people. The ministry said Qais Hassan al-Abd al-Rajab, a former brigadier general who served as deputy director of the General Intelligence »»»
Syrian president has no intention of intervening in Lebanon: sources
DAMASCUS: Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa told visitors that Damascus has no intention of intervening in Lebanon, two of them told AFP, days after US President Donald Trump suggested it might be willing to do so. One of those present, requesting anonymity to speak freely, said that Sharaa told doz»»»
“Lebanon’s future is in the hands of the Lebanese”, Aoun says rejects Iran’s effort to link it to any US deal – Ya Libnan
Share: Summary Iran ties Lebanon ceasefire to broader deal with Washington Lebanese president says only option is to negotiate with Israel Hezbollah rejects talks, leaving Lebanon at impasse Israel demands Hezbollah be dismantled before any withdrawal Deadlock risks making displacement of Shi’ites »»»
1.3 million UN-registered refugees return to Syria in 2025
LONDON: Around 1.3 million people returned to Syria in 2025, marking one of the largest refugee return movements in the world in that year, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The number of Syrian refugees has now dropped to 4.9 million as more people have returned to their homes fo»»»
Syria probes ministry cyberattack as sensitive documents appear online
DAMASCUS: Syria has said it is investigating a cyberattack that leaked sensitive information from the foreign ministry, with internal documents appearing on messaging app Telegram. In a statement carried by Syria’s official SANA news agency, the ministry said it had begun “taking the necessary meas»»»
Syrian president receives invitation to US mid-June: diplomatic source
DAMASCUS: Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa received an invitation to head to the United States later this month, where he met his counterpart Donald Trump last November, a diplomatic source told AFP on Thursday. The invitation comes after Trump had recently hinted at Syria’s willingness to interven»»»
Former Commander of Troops in Syria Named to Head Russian Aerospace Troops
A former commander of Russian troops in Syria was named to head the country's aerospace forces, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. A ministry statement said Lieutenant-General Alexander Chaiko had been appointed to the position last month by virtue of a decree issued by President»»»
Syrian, French officials discuss military cooperation
LONDON: Syrian and French officials met in Damascus on Wednesday to discuss ways to expand military and defense cooperation. Deputy Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Mohammad Khair Hassan Shuaib met Herve Hamelin, the head of international military relations at the French Armed Forces General Staff, the S»»»
Russia Says it is Discussing 'Reformatting' of Military Facilities in Syria
Russia's foreign ministry said on Wednesday that cooperation with Syria was developing very actively and that Moscow was discussing with Damascus a "possible reformatting" of its military facilities in Syria. The December 2024 ousting of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, a close Russian ally, raise»»»
On This Day, June 10: Norway surrenders to Germany in WWII - UPI.com
On June 10, 1940, Norway surrendered to Germany during World War II, with King Haakon and members of the government fleeing to Britain. 1 of 4 | German officers stand before Oslo's National Theater in 1940 after taking control of Norway during World War II. On June 10, 1940, Norway surrendered to G»»»
Syrian and Turkish defense ministers discuss strategic ties
LONDON: Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra met with his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Guler, in Ankara on Tuesday to discuss ways to enhance bilateral relations between Syria and Turkiye. Abu Qasra and Guler discussed military cooperation and broader strategic ties, according to the Syrian Arab News Ag»»»
Lebanon Caught between US, Iran in Reclaiming its Independent Decision-making
Iran’s attack on Israel in retaliation to Israeli strikes on Sunday on Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, carried several messages. It was seen as an attempt to reinforce its claim over Lebanon as a bargaining chip in its confrontation with the United States and Israel that it can u»»»
Syrian authorities arrest former assistant sergeant in Assad regime
LONDON: The Interior Ministry of the Syrian Arab Republic on Sunday announced the arrest of a former officer of the Assad regime suspected of committing crimes against the Syrian people. Ghassan Assaf formerly held the rank of assistant sergeant and served as the office manager to Suheil Al-Hassan,»»»
Jordan sentences man to death for killing drug agents
AMMAN: A Jordanian court sentenced a citizen to death on Sunday after he was convicted of killing three drug enforcement agents during a raid earlier this year. The Jordanian state security court said, in a statement, that it “unanimously issued its final ruling on Sunday in the case concerning the»»»
Israeli forces detain five Syrians during raids in Quneitra
LONDON: Israeli forces detained five people during raids in the southern Syrian countryside of Quneitra, in what has become a near-daily military activity since December 2024. An Israeli force entered the village of Sayda Al-Hanout in southern Quneitra shortly after midnight on Sunday. It detained »»»
Frankly Speaking: US media slammed for showing Iran as victor of war
RIYADH: A veteran Lebanese economist and political adviser has criticized some US media coverage for portraying Iran as the war’s victor. In his opinion, much of the analysis reflects domestic political divides more than realities on the ground. “I’m very disappointed with the analysis you get from»»»
How Did Tehran Enter the Palestinian Arena?
A compelling story is often enough to send a journalist in search of the man who carries it. The search becomes even more urgent when that man carries two. That was the case many years ago when I set out to find Anis Naccache. As a young Lebanese activist, Naccache joined Fatah’s student battalion »»»
Egyptian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Syria Nominates New Ambassador Instead of Al-Ahmad, Approval Under Way
The crisis surrounding Syria's nomination of Mohammad Taha Al-Ahmad as its ambassador to Egypt, first revealed in an Asharq Al-Awsat report published on June 1, appears to be heading toward a resolution. An Egyptian official source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Cairo has received the name of a new nomi»»»
When Hafez al-Assad Opened Lebanon’s Gate to Tehran
One week after the Iranian Revolution declared victory on February 11, 1979, two photographs emerged from Tehran that, in retrospect, help explain many of the storms that would later sweep the Middle East, from Iran’s expanding regional influence to what the author calls “Sinwar’s Flood." In the fi»»»
OPCW Analyzing 34 Sealed Boxes of Documents Handed Over from Syria
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said the Syrian authorities handed over to the Secretariat team in Damascus 34 sealed cardboard boxes of documents that are being processed and further analyzed. Briefing the UN Security Council on the implementation of Resolution 2118»»»
Three Precious Gifts to Tehran from Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, and George W. Bush
Most people in today’s Middle East were born after 1979. Yet they often overlook how profoundly that year shaped their countries, their stability, and their daily lives. It unleashed storms, wars, and leaders whose ambitions and dangers far exceeded the borders from which they emerged. Some observe»»»