The US Army continues to plunder the Syrian oil to deprive the Syrian people of their own fuel in continuing the anti-Semitic Antichrist agenda carried out by the ‘liberals’ of the ‘free world’ led by NATO, the ‘defensive’ alliance.
An additional 45 oil tankers were smuggled by the US Army and its Kurdish SDF separatist terrorists out of Syria into neighboring Iraq yesterday, Saturday 03, June 2023.
Local sources reported that the tankers loaded with stolen Syrian oil from the Syrian oil fields in Hasakah province, northeast of Syria, were smuggled by the US Army and its local Kurdish proxy forces into northern Iraq through the illegal Mahmoudiya border crossing in the Yarubiyah countryside in the same Syrian province.
The former leader of the US-led NATO ‘defensive’ alliance, US former president Trump repeated more than once that he’s ‘keeping the Syrian oil’ arrogantly stating ‘he likes oil’ in a repetition to a similar saying of the disgraced former US president and war criminal George W. Bush when he blatantly said ‘the USA is addicted to oil’ justifying the US invasion of Iraq and its occupation of that oil-rich country.
The US Army, or any other NATO armies or their allies was sent to Syria to combat ISIS or to fight terrorism, terrorism, especially that of ISIS and al Qaeda thrives wherever the US Army is deployed, without fail, terrorism is only defeated when the US Army ‘stops combating terrorism!’
Several leaders of the NATO ‘defensive’ alliance did not hide their evil agenda for stealing Syrian oil and wheat, saying they use it as leverage against the Syrian government bragging about the harm and suffering their illegal policies in Syria inflicted on the millions of the Syrian people.
The stealing of Syrian oil is a daily practice by the US Army and its proxy terrorists in northern Syria, there are dozens of tankers carrying stolen Syrian oil and lorries carrying stolen Syrian wheat smuggled by the leader of the so-called ‘free world’ to the US military bases in northern Iraq and from it to Israel, ISIS (ISIL – Daesh), and other entities funded by the US taxpayers across the region.
We, at Syria News, do not have the resources to report on the US Army’s theft of Syrian oil every day but we try our level best to bring it to the notice of our readers whenever it’s possible hoping one day the citizens of the member states of NATO, the ‘defensive’ alliance, especially the US taxpayers and voters would hold their officials to account for these crimes committed in their names and using their hard-earned taxes which in normal countries would have been used to better their own lives instead of destroying the lives of innocent people across the globe.
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The British people do not want to hear the BBC. That is why their viewing numbers are so dire and why they must terrorise vulnerable grandmothers with their courts and their gulags.
Though pinioned as he is for all eternity on Lucifer’s sharpest tridents, MI5 agent George Orwell can treat himself to the wryest of smiles. MI5 have not only honoured this pervert with his own statue outside of their BBC head office but they have now installed Marianna Spring as Tsarina of the BBC’s Orwellian named Ministry of Truth.
Spring has all the credentials. She studied Russian, the language the BBC wants us to believe Orwell’s neighbours speak in hell, at Oxford, having first been Head Girl at Suton High School. And, as this excellent American profile of her attests, she can now read maps, even if she can do this with nowhere near the rigour of the highly-recommended Defence Politics Asia.
Let’s also clarify that we are speaking in the main of the BBC World Service and not of their gardening or motoring correspondents. The BBC Word Service is not regulated by OFCOM but instead reports directly to the Foreign Office, to MI6 in other words, which not only dictates the BBC’s policy but ensures it fully complies with NATO’s war objectives.
Let’s cut to the chase here. As NATO’s primary propaganda organ, the BBC is a criminal, terrorist organisation, as is each and every BBC employee who helps either to propagate their lies or to cover the rampant child sex abuse, which is integral to their corporate culture. Let’s expand on that by means of two statues which adorn the front of BBC’s London HQ.
The first of these is of the notorious British spy, George Orwell, whose back story is shredded into a million pieces here. Orwell was a sectarian bigot, a plagiarist, a racist and an MI5 spy, a foul piece of humanity in other words, but the perfect specimen to adorn the HQ of this nest of sex pests, spies, and outright charlatans.
The other statue adorning the front of the BBC’s HQ to note is by Eric Gill, who was also one of the twentieth century’s most notorious child rapists.
As was, of course, the notorious Jimmy Savile, whom the BBC employed for decades, even though it was widely known what that cigar muncher was up to with the boys, girls and dead bodies that monster raped. Savile was not the only monster the BBC allowed hide in plain sight; there were, for starters, Sir Ted Heath, Lord Boothby, Tom Driberg MP and the BBC should be held accountable for each and every one of their crimes of collusion, for their sins of both omission and commission in other words.
George Orwell was not MI5’s only BBC mole. MI5 actually set up this bloated propaganda outfit and overtly and covertly chose all its staff for decades. Though one would have to be very naive to believe that they still do not do so, there is evidence aplenty to show that this is still the case.
And then, as this excellent website shows, there is Syria and Libya, where the BBC worked hand in hand with the scum of the Muslim Brotherhood and of ISIS, who allowed them drive through their checkpoints unimpeded and helped them stage their false flags attacks on hospitals which, if BBC propagandists like David Nott is to be believed, ISIS had wherever it was the heroes of the Syrian Army targeted for attack. The BBC in Syria, as they were in Libya and Serbia and as they are in Ukraine, are direct combatants in the war and, as per the Geneva Convention, they should be treated as all other combatants who don’t don uniforms.
Though Liverpool football hooligan Paul Conroy wore an SAS uniform when he took part in their terror campaign against Irish Catholics, MI5 later re-deployed him to work as a BBC camera-man where, with notorious CIA asset Marie Colvin and thousands of captured Syrian slave soldiers, he organised ISIS’ defence of Homs. When the heroes of the Syrian Arab Army stormed their defences, Conroy, like the rat in human form that he is, scuttled away to freedom through the sewers.
Although his detractors claim here and here “this outwardly charming man acts as a propagandist for American & Western imperialism”, those needing a good natured laugh at his expense can view Conroy’s rants here, here, here and here. But, although Conroy, like all of the BBC’s sewer dwellers, deserves our contempt, do not be fooled. He remains every inch the gun for hire he was when he terrorised little school girls in the North of Ireland. All that has changed is his job description, which now entails facilitating Bellingcat, the White Helmets, the Syria Observatory for Human Rights and MI5’s other well-honed liars.
Practiced liars who extort an annual £159 from every British household for the privilege of watching their propaganda. And clog up King Jug Ears’ courts with those who cannot or will not pay for the privilege of having their intelligence insulted. As over 75% of prosecutions for not having a TV licence are against vulnerable women, and as over one in three of women in British prisons are there for not paying the BBC their blood money, we can truthfully say that the BBC’s licence levy is a war on women.
MI5’s BBC can appoint all the under-qualified Ministry of Truth Tsarinas that they wish. They can erect all the statues to spies and sex fiends that they want. But they really should erase the lettering at the back of Orwell’s statue which reads: “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear”.
The British people do not want to hear the BBC. That is why their viewing numbers are so dire and why they must terrorise vulnerable grandmothers with their courts and their gulags. The BBC should be pay-for-view or uploaded gratis onto Youtube. Or better still onto PornHub which, though it is also blockading Russia, would be the preferred propaganda vehicle of George Orwell, Eric Gill and the BBC’s own Jimmy Savile.
وزّع الجيش الإسرائيلي أمس، على سكّان المستوطنات الحدودية مع لبنان، رسالة تحمل مجموعة من التوصيات في حال «فتح جبهة الشمال». وطالب الجيش، في الرسالة، المستوطنين بإخلاء منازلهم فوراً في حال اندلاع تصعيد، مشيراً إلى أنها «إذا اندلعت حرب إقليمية في القطاع الشمالي، فستكون أقوى بكثير من الحملة التي عشناها في حرب لبنان الثانية». كما من المحتمل – بحسب الرسالة – أن «يتسبّب القتال في انهيار البنية التحتية والكهرباء والمياه والإنترنت (…) وستكون قوة الصواريخ كبيرة جداً». كما حذّر الجيش من أن المستوطنين في المنطقة الشمالية، لن يستطيعوا الحصول على «مساعدة من قوات الأمن والإنقاذ». كما حملت الرسالة توصيات بشراء «صناديق من المياه المعدنية، وطعام جافّ، ومصباح يدوي مع بطّاريات (…) وكذلك الأدوية المزمنة، وخافضات الحرارة ومسكّنات الآلام»، ونحو ذلك.
غزة | ارتفعت أخيراً، في إسرائيل، وتيرة التهديدات والتحذيرات الموجّهة إلى «حزب الله» وإيران، ومختلف قوى «محور المقاومة»، إلى مستوى ربّما يكون غير مسبوق في السنوات الأخيرة، حتى ساد شعور في الكيان بأن الحرب وراء الباب. ودفع ذلك المتحدّث باسم الجيش الإسرائيلي لاحقاً، إلى التوضيح أن «كلام رئيس هيئة الأركان العامة في الجيش، هرتسي هاليفي، ورئيس شعبة الاستخبارات العسكرية، أهارون حليفا، لا يعني أن الحرب على الأبواب». كما تغيّرت نبرة المحلّلين والمعلّقين الذين صاروا أكثر ميْلاً إلى اعتبار التهديدات الصادرة عن قياداتهم الأمنية، محاولات للردع، وليست إيذاناً بالمبادرة. وعلى رغم أن رسائل التهديد الإسرائيلية، جاءت بنتائج عكسيّة على الكيان والمستوطنين، حيث ارتفع سعر الدولار أمام الشيكل مثلاً، وساد توتّر شديد في أوساط الجمهور، إلا أن ذلك لا يعني أن هذه التهديدات أتت من فراغ.
ترى المنظومتان الأمنية والسياسية في تل أبيب، أن الأزمة المتفاقمة في الكيان، والتي يبدو إلى الآن أن لا أفق إيجابيّاً لها، بالنظر إلى فشل جولات الحوار بين الحكومة والمعارضة في التوصّل إلى أي حلول، شكّلت منعطفاً في طريقة تفكير قوى «محور المقاومة». إذ وجدت هذه القوى، وعلى رأسها «حزب الله»، في الأزمة نقطة ضعف جوهرية، يجدر استغلالها والبناء عليها. ولعلّ نجاح الائتلاف الداعم للحكومة في «الكنيست»، خلال الأيام الماضية، في إقرار موازنة عامّة ترفضها المعارضة بشدّة، سيزيد من التوتّر السياسي، ما يفاقم المشكلة ويطيل أمدها، خصوصاً أنه لا يبدو خيار التراجع عن إقرار قوانين «الخطة القضائية» وارداً لدى رئيس الحكومة، بنيامين نتنياهو، وحلفائه، في المدى المنظور. ويبدو واضحاً أن عملية مجدّو، التي يزعم العدو أن «حزب الله» مسؤول عنها، لا تزال حاضرة بشكل كبير في ذهن القادة العسكريين والأمنيين في الكيان، والذين يرون فيها بدايةً عمليّةً لمسار مختلف يدشّنه الحزب، عنوانه تنفيذ عمليات داخل الأراضي المحتلّة، أو على السياج، ما يرفع التحدّي أمام العدو إلى مستوى غير مسبوق منذ عملية الأسر في تموز 2006. وخلال المؤتمر النسوي الذي ينظّمه «معهد هرتسيليا»، حذّر رئيس شعبة الاستخبارات العسكرية في الجيش (أمان)، أهارون حليفا، من أن فرص اندلاع تصعيد مع «حزب الله»، هي «أكثر ارتفاعاً مما مضى»، وقال إن الحزب «يقترب من خطأ قد يؤدّي من جديد إلى حرب، كما حدث عام 2006». وفي حين لم يذكر حليفا ماهيّة «الخطأ» المزعوم، إلّا أن السياق يوضح اعتقاد قادة العدو بأن المقاومة في لبنان قد تكون في صدد تنفيذ عمليات أخرى، تشبه عملية مجدّو. كما يتساوق مع المسار الجديد المفترض لدى «حزب الله»، مسار آخر على مستوى «محور المقاومة»، يشكّل بنظر العدو هو الآخر تحدّياً جوهرياً جديداً، وهو مسار «توحيد الساحات»، في الشمال والجنوب، وساحات أخرى أبعد. وهذا ما أشار إليه وزير الجيش، يوآف غالانت، في المؤتمر، حين قال إن لدى أعداء إسرائيل «توجّهاً واضحاً لتوحيد الساحات (…) في غزة والضفة ولبنان وسوريا، والرابط الوثيق بينها هو إيران».
البحث عن «الفرصة»
خلال مؤتمر «هرتسيليا»، الأسبوع الفائت، حذّر رئيس الأركان في الجيش الإسرائيلي، هرتسي هاليفي، من أن «تعزّز حزب الله بشكل كبير في لبنان يشكّل تحدّياً هائلاً». واعتبر أن على إسرائيل أن تعمل في اتجاهين: توسيع الفجوة بين قدراتها وقدرات عدوّها، وأن تدرس دوماً التوقيت المناسب لمبادرة يمكن أن تحقّق «التفوّق». وهذا «المنطق» في التفكير لدى هاليفي وقادة الجيش، تعزّز بشكل كبير بعد عملية «درع وسهم» التي نفّذها العدو في قطاع غزة الشهر الماضي، والتي اقتضت خطتها المبادرة إلى تنفيذ اغتيالات دموية ومركزية، تمسّ مفاصل الجسم العسكري لحركة «الجهاد الإسلامي»، بالتوازي مع استعداد إسرائيلي على طول خطّ الجبهة، وكذلك في الجبهة الداخلية، لاستيعاب ردّ الفعل، والتدرّج في التصعيد في مقابل ردّ المقاومة الفلسطينية، وصولاً إلى تحقيق وقف إطلاق النار، مع أقلّ قدر من الخسائر. وقد نقلت وسائل الإعلام الإسرائيلية، حينها، عن مسؤولين كبار في الكيان، قولهم إن هذا السيناريو (درع وسهم) يمكن «استنساخه» في ساحات أخرى، ما دفع سريعاً إلى الواجهة تفسيرات أجمعت إلى حدٍّ ما، على أن التهديد موجّه إلى لبنان، سواءً عبر تنفيذ اغتيالات لقادة «حزب الله»، أو لمسؤولي المقاومة الفلسطينية على الأراضي اللبنانية، ما يعني بالتالي كسر خطّ أحمر تجنّبه العدو طوال السنوات الماضية، بفعل معادلات الردع التي تفرضها المقاومة في لبنان. وعاد غالانت إلى تأكيد التوجّه المتقدّم في كلمته في «هرتسيليا»، حيث أعلن «أن ما فعلته إسرائيل في قطاع غزة ضدّ الجهاد الإسلامي، قادرة على أن تكرّره ضدّ آخرين في غزة وفي كلّ ساحة أخرى».
هذه أول مناورة كبرى تحاكي خوض حرب كاملة على عدّة جبهات في وقت واحد
الردعُ نسبيّ
خلال المؤتمر نفسه، تحدث هاليفي عن ما سماه «الردع النسبي»، واعتبر أن حزب الله «مردوعٌ جداً عن حرب شاملة ضد إسرائيل، وهو يعتقد أنه يفهم كيف نحن نفكّر، وهذا يقوده إلى الجرأة في تحدّينا بأمور يثق هو أنها لن تؤدّي إلى حرب». وبناء على ذلك، يعتقد العدو أن هامش التحدّيات، وكذلك الفرص، بالنسبة له، آخذ في الارتفاع. وفي هذا الإطار، يقول هاليفي إنه يرى هنا «سكّة جيّدة لخلق مفاجآت عند الحاجة»، و«المفاجآت» المفترضة، والتي يريد التلميح إليها، قد تكون عبارة عن ردود أفعال غير متناسبة على عمل ما ضدّ إسرائيل، تنفّذه المقاومة، أو تشارك فيه، أو تغضّ النظر عنه، كما قضية إطلاق الصواريخ من جنوب لبنان، بحسب ما خلص إليه المراقبون الإسرائيليون.
الميدان والمناورات
في الميدان، حافظت قوات العدو في المنطقة الشمالية على جاهزية عالية، ولكن غير استثنائية. كما رفعت من وتيرة الإجراءات الميدانية الحدودية، والتي تعتقد أنها كفيلة بعرقلة عمليات مفترضة للمقاومة على الحدود أو خلفها. وبعدما شرعت خلال الشهور الماضية في استكمال إغلاق الثغرات في السياج التقني ومواقع كثيرة، ذهبت خلال الأيام الفائتة إلى حفر خندق طويل، وبعمق مترين، في الأراضي اللبنانية المحتلة في كفرشوبا، أمام السياج مباشرة، وذلك في سياق أعمال هندسية يعتقد العدو أنها تقيّد إمكانية تسلّل مقاومين لتنفيذ عمليات خاطفة وسريعة. كذلك، يُجري الاحتلال حالياً مناورة غير استثنائية أيضاً، أسماها «القبضة الساحقة»، وتحاكي المناورة، التي من المتوقّع أن تمتدّ على أسبوعين، وتتركّز في المنطقة الشمالية، خوض حرب ضد «حزب الله» في لبنان بشكل أساسي، مع إمكانية أن يتوسّع القتال إلى عدة ساحات أخرى، كسوريا وقطاع غزة، وحتى الضفة الغربية، وفي سيناريو متطرّف إيران. والواقع أن هذه هي أول مناورة كبرى تحاكي خوض حرب كاملة على عدّة جبهات في وقت واحد، وهو أحد التحدّيين الأساسيين اللذين يرسمان معالم التقدير لدى قيادة العدو، إضافة إلى تحدّي العمليات الأكثر جرأة وخطورة، والتي من الممكن أن ينفّذها «حزب الله». وعلى رغم أن توقيت التدريبات خدم بطريقة جيّدة التهديدات التي سبقتها ببضعة أيام فقط، إلا أنها لم تُقرّ بسبب مستجدّات عاجلة، بل تمّ التخطيط لها قبل عدة أشهر.
رسائل ردعية
تأتي التهديدات الإسرائيلية القديمة – الجديدة للجمهورية الإسلامية، في سياق ردعي أيضاً، يهدف إلى دفع إيران إلى التخلّي عن طموحات مُفترضة، للوصول إلى القنبلة النووية. وتسجَّل زيادة لافتة في جرعة التهديد، بأن لدى إسرائيل القدرة الكافية، منفردة، على توجيه ضربة عسكرية ثقيلة لبرنامج إيران النووي، من دون الحاجة إلى الدعم الأميركي على المستويين السياسي والعسكري. والظاهر أن العدو يحاول توجيه رسائل ردعية مباشرة وواضحة إلى قادة قوى «محور المقاومة»، وقد وجد قادته الأمنيون والعسكريون في «مؤتمر هرتسيليا»، فرصة مناسبة لتوجيه هذه الرسائل، على اعتبار أن المؤتمر عادة بتغطية إعلامية استثنائية. وساند المستوى السياسي، نظيره الأمني، عبر الإعلان عن دعوة وُجّهت إلى وزراء الحكومة، لعقد جلسة تتعلّق بالجبهة الشمالية، أي في مقابل لبنان وسوريا، لإطلاعهم على آخر المستجدّات الأمنية، وعلى التهديدات والمخاطر المحدقة، وكذلك على الإجراءات الإسرائيلية. وإذ انعقدت هذه الجلسة أول من أمس من دون أن ترشَح عنها أي معلومات أو مواقف لافتة، فإن حملة التهويل الإسرائيلية تبدو في معظمها هادفة إلى ردع «العدو» عن خطوات يَفترض العقل الإسرائيلي أن إيران أو «حزب الله» بشكل خاص، في صددها. كما يبدو احتمال أن تكون هذه التهديدات تمهيداً لعمل عدائي ما، منخفضاً، خصوصاً أنه ليس من الحكمة في شيء، تحذير العدوّ بشكل فاقع، قبيْل مهاجمته، تحت طائلة خسارة عنصر المفاجأة، أو «التفوّق» بحسب تعبير هاليفي.
Russian Military Aerospace Commander Colonel Oleg Viktorovich Pechevisty (Олегом Викторовичем Печевистым) was killed by a terrorist group sponsored by NATO in Syria last Thursday, 25 May 2023, multiple sources reported.
NATO Turkey-sponsored Al Qaeda Levant (aka Nusra Front – HTS – and Jabhat Nusra) did not claim responsibility for the killing of the Russian Colonel, however, it has bragged about bombing a site in Latakia countryside which some observers place Col. Pechevisty in at the time of the bombing.
Other reports, including some Russian-based social media accounts, claim that the Russian commander was killed in a terrorist attack carried out by NATO US-sponsored ISIS (ISIL – Daesh) near the Syrian city of Al Sukhna in the eastern Homs countryside.
Russian Military Aerospace Commander Colonel Oleg Viktorovich Pechevisty killed by NATO in Syria
Whether the Russian top commander was killed by Al Qaeda Levant or by ISIS, the killing was done based on intelligence information gathered by a NATO military and passed on to a terrorist group created, trained, armed, smuggled into Syria, and commanded by a NATO member state, Turkey or the USA.
The Russian Army has lost several officers and soldiers in the US-led war of terror and war of attrition against the Syrian state, the sacrifices of the Russian servicemen in Syria will be always cherished by the Syrian people and the free people of the world.
Definitely, the heroism and sacrifices of the Russian Army servicemen in Syria will always be highly praised by the Russian people, those servicemen killed, wounded, and even served without injury while combating the world’s evil powers have defended their motherland in Syria before and broke the backbone of those evil powers before reaching Russia as we see in the current conflict in Ukraine.
We should also remember the Russian diplomats who also played an important part in defending their country, Syria, and the whole of humanity, and some of them were killed like the Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov who was killed by a supporter of the Turkish madman Erdogan in the Turkish capital Ankara in December 2016.
We at Syria News salute the Russian heroes who fought alongside their Syrian Arab Army brethren to save the world from the servants of the Antichrist, the armies of NATO, the ‘defensive’ alliance, the Zionists, the Nazis, and their anti-Islamic Muslim Brotherhood and Wahhabi criminals. May their memory be immortal.
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القيادي في الجبهة الشعبية لتحرير فلسطين أنور رجا يعلن عبر الميادين استشهاد 5 عناصر من الجبهة، وإصابة 10 آخرين بجروح في غارة إسرائيلية على بلدة قوسايا الحدودية بين لبنان وسوريا.
الشهداء الخمسة ارتقوا بغارة إسرائيلية في بلدة قوسايا الحدودية بين لبنان وسوريا
وقال القيادي في “الجبهة الشعبية” أنور رجا للميادين إنّ “خمسة شهداء ارتقوا في اعتداء اسرائيلي على مركز للجبهة في بلدة قوسايا الحدودية”.
أعلنت الجبهة الشعبيّة لتحرير فلسطين – القيادة العامة استشهاد 5 من عناصر الجبهة في غارة إسرئيلية فجر اليوم الأربعاء.
وأضاف رجا أنّ “الاعتداء الاسرائيلي على مركز للجبهة في قوسايا على الحدود اللبنانية السورية أدّى كذلك إلى إصابة 10 آخرين بجروح”.
بدوره، قال عضو اللجنة المركزية في الجبهة بدر أحمد جبريل في صفحته في “تويتر” إنّ “الشهداء الخمسة ارتقوا عقب استهداف الاحتلال أحد مواقع الجبهة عند الحدود اللبنانية السورية”.
قام العدو الصهيو ني فجر اليوم بغارة جوية استهدفت أحد مواقع فدا ئي الجبهة_ الشعبيةلتحر يرفلسطين القيا د ة _ العا مة في لبنان (قوسايا) والتي أسفرت عن وقوع خمسة شهد ا ء وعدد من الجر حى إضافة لخسائر مادية في الموقع عهدا على مواصلة الكفا ح حتى تحرير الأرض ، والإنسان 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/fVsN53VLRy
— mhd baderبدر أحمد جبريل (@mhdpedro) May 31, 2023
وعقب الاستهداف الإسرائيلي، قالت الجبهة الشعبيّة لتحرير فلسطين في بيان اليوم: “العدوان الذي استهدف عناصرنا جاء ضمن الحرب الصهيونية المفتوحة على شعبنا الفلسطيني في كل أماكن وجوده”.
ونعت الجبهة في البيان الشهداء الخمسة، مؤكدةً أنّ “هذه الجريمة ليست معزولة عن الأحداث الأخيرة المتسارعة على الجبهتين اللبنانيّة والسوريّة، وهي في إطار التهديدات الصهيونيّة المتواصلة التي تستهدف قوى المقاومة في داخل فلسطين وخارجها”.
وأشار البيان إلى أنّ “الاحتلال يسعى من خلال ارتكاب هذه الجريمة لتوجيه مجموعة من الرسائل إلى المقاومة، متوهماً أنّه يستطيع من خلالها ردع المقاومة المتنامية التي سترد على هذه الجريمة من دون أن ترهبها التهديدات الصهيونيّة”.
وأفاد مراسل الميادين بأنه “جرى إسقاط صاروخين في محيط قطنا في ريف دمشق الغربي، فيما سقط الثالث جنوب دمشق في محيط منطقة الكسوة. أمّا الرابع، فاستهدف محيط أحد المواقع جنوب شرقي العاصمة في محيط مطار دمشق”.
وفي مطلع أيار/مايو، تصدّت الدفاعات الجوية السورية لعدوان إسرائيلي استهدف محيط مطار حلب الدولي وبلدة السفيرة في ريف حلب الجنوبي، ما أدّى إلى خروج مطار حلب عن الخدمة.
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – President Ebrahim Raisi hoped for the expansion of Iran’s relations with Turkey in a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who will remain in power until 2028 after winning the run-off presidential election.
In the telephone conversation on Tuesday, Raisi once again congratulated Erdogan on his election victory, expressing hope that the economic, political, security, cultural and trade relations between Tehran and Ankara would grow further during the new term of the Turkish leader.
Highlighting the influential role of cooperation between Iran and Turkey in strengthening security and stability in the region, the Iranian president called for accelerated interaction between the two neighbors in order to fulfill the interests of the regional nations.
For his part, Erdogan expressed gratitude to the Iranian president for his goodwill, saying the relations between Turkey and Iran will continue to grow more vigorously in various fields during his new term.
He also stated that Ankara is willing to continue regional cooperation with Iran, including within the framework of quadrilateral collaboration among Turkey, Iran, Russia and Syria.
The Turkish president noted that such mutual interaction will have positive and effective impacts on bolstering regional stability and promoting economic and trade cooperation.
Arab reconciliation with Syria is a two-way street, with both sides seeking important concessions from each other. While all solutions can be found within a grand regional compromise, not all Arab states will be willing to challenge Washington’s red lines.
Twelve days after Syria regained its membership in the Arab League, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad addressed the pan-Arab body at its 19 May summit in Jeddah. This was Assad’s first Arab League meeting in 12 years. It was also his first visit to Saudi Arabia since October 2010, making the kingdom the third Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member – after Oman and the UAE – to welcome him for an official visit this year.
His participation at the gathering was a watershed in Damascus’s return to the region’s diplomatic arena and a sign of a collective desire by most Arab governments, with the notable exception of Qatar, to reintegrate Syria into the fold and ends it isolation.
During Assad’s first speech at an Arab League summit since his country’s November 2011 suspension, he lambasted the west and said that “for Syria, its past, present, and future is Arabism.” The Syrian president called for an end to outside interference in Arab countries’ internal affairs. His address centered on the recognition of a new multipolar geopolitical order and highlighted Syria’s reconciliation with various regional governments.
“Today we have an opportunity in a world with several poles as a result of western dominance, which lacks principles, manners, friends, and partners.”
“This Arab League summit is a historic opportunity to address regional issues without foreign interference, which requires us to reposition in the world that is forming today in order for us to play an active role in it as we take advantage of the positive atmosphere following the reconciliations that preceded the summit today.”
Reasserting Arab independence
The Syrian president also told summit attendees that he hopes the event will mark “the beginning of a new phase of Arab action for solidarity among us, for peace in our region, development, and prosperity instead of war and destruction.”
Commenting on Assad’s address, Dr. Joseph A Kechichian, a senior fellow at the King Faisal Centre in Riyadh, tells The Cradle:
“It was ironic that Syrian President Bashar Assad thanked Saudi Arabia for promoting the reconciliation in the region… Still, much of what was discussed in public at Jeddah was superficial, although one assumed that far more substantial conversations occurred behind closed doors.
While embracing his fellow Arabs, Assad lashed out at Turkiye and Israel during his address. Despite Damascus and Ankara’s gradual movement toward reconciliation under Russian auspices, the Syrian president condemned Turkiye’s military deployment into northern Syria and its sponsorship of various anti-government militias.
By citing the “danger of expansionist Ottoman thought” and the Muslim Brotherhood, Assad likely resonated with some attendees whose governments share Syria’s view of the Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. He also declared that “there are many issues for which there are not enough words or summits, including the crimes of the Zionist entity [Israel]… against the resisting Palestinians.”
While Assad’s speech carried significant rhetoric and symbolism, the question remains whether Syria’s regained Arab League membership and its warm welcome in Saudi Arabia will deliver the tangible changes the country desperately needs.
Here are five of the most pressing issues facing Syria today, each of which can be solved inter-regionally, if western pressures are held at bay:
Sanctions circumvention
First, with Washington doubling down on its Caesar Act, Damascus will be looking to find Arab partner states to help circumvent or undermine these sanctions, and devise tactics to do so. Thus far, the US’s crippling sanctions on Syria have deterred the wealthier GCC states from investing in the country’s reconstruction and redevelopment.
Camille Otrakji, a Damascus-born, Montreal-based Syria specialist, tells The Cradle that, presently, “Arab states find themselves benefiting from the temporary [sanctions] respite provided by the 180-day general license issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)” in response to the devastating 6 February earthquake.
“Additionally, these states have forged an understanding with the Biden administration, recognizing that engagement with Syria can yield mutually advantageous outcomes…Nevertheless, there exist indirect avenues through which the Arabs can extend support to the Syrian government without transgressing the boundaries of existing sanctions.”
The Syrian leadership is trying to loosen the US sanctions noose with help from fellow Arab League members, particularly those such as the UAE which have considerable clout in Washington. Arab states also have options for doing business with Syria in ways that could escape the US Treasury Department’s radar – in local currencies, for instance.
These include going through the Russians and Iranians or “construct[ing] barter-like relationships and buy[ing] into long-term shares of things that are constructed in the form of direct transfers of regional currencies,” as Dr. Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, DC, recently told CNN.
Regardless of how US President Joe Biden or his eventual successor approach Syria and the Caesar Act, officials in Damascus may conclude that time is on their side, even if patience is necessary. The Syrian government is banking on a new, less west-centric, and more multipolar world order emerging over the next few years.
As Otrakji tells The Cradle, “President Assad, during his address at the Arab summit, articulated Syria’s strategy as one of patient waiting, capitalizing on opportunities while the United States grapples with a diminishing hold on global affairs.”
Indeed, as the world moves toward de-dollarization, US sanctions will have less of an impact everywhere. Influential Arab capitals like Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, now openly engaging and transacting with US-sanctioned Russia, Iran, and China – may be less deterred from doing business with Syria. Others more aligned with or dependent on Washington may be hesitant to do so, which is why Damascus may be hoping for the Saudis and Emiratis to first blaze that path.
Iran’s role
Second, Arab governments eager to bring Syria back to the Arab League may try to leverage these relations to reduce Iran’s role in the war-torn country. For now, according to Arab League Assistant Secretary General Hossam Zaki, the institution’s members “put aside” their demand that Iranian forces withdraw from Syria.
If true, this would be a major concession on the part of GCC states – one that would add to Tehran’s sense of confidence in the region following the 10 March diplomatic agreement with Saudi Arabia that eased the Islamic Republic’s regional isolation.
It is fairly certain that Arab states will continue trying to leverage their reengagement with Damascus in ways aimed at reducing Syria’s strategic dependence on Iran, regardless of whether this is realistic or not. But many experts are doubtful about Saudi Arabia and other GCC/Arab states succeeding on this front.
“History matters,” explains Dr. Marina Calculli, a Columbia University research fellow in the Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies, to The Cradle.
“The alliance between Syria and Iran has an ideological origin. It is grounded in the conviction that Syria and Iran do not have the space they deserve in the international order. Internal opposition to this alliance within the Assad [government] has been obliterated. It is unlikely that Syria will trade its alliance with Iran for some business investments lightly.”
The Captagon trade
Third, is a regional desire to stem the illicit Captagon trade, which Washington and others have largely attributed to Syria and its government. Although Assad did not address this topic in his 19 May Jeddah speech, it is an important agenda item for Arab states flooded with the illicit “war drug.”
The hope is that reestablishing relations with Damascus can mobilize the Assad government to target drug trafficking. With the country still under heavy US sanctions, including the CAPTAGON Act, trade in the highly-addictive amphetamine provides Syrian and other regional dealers with billions in revenue each year.
The Caesar Act has not worked: impoverishing Syria further inhibits access to financial resources that can target the drug trade. Regardless, Iraq and Jordan have reportedly agreed to cooperate with Syria’s government in tackling the Captagon trade across their borders. Whether Damascus’s cooperation on this front has just been about optics and short-term political calculations or reflects a genuine desire to work with other regional states on the issue is unclear.
“Captagon is Assad’s golden card, its strategic asset in the normalization game. He would be willing to take down the Captagon trade only in exchange for meaningful restoration of economic relations with Arab countries and beyond,” argues Dr. Calculli.
The illegal US occupation
Fourth, is the glaring issue of the illegal US military presence in northeastern Syria. Damascus has consistently called on US forces to leave the country, and now Assad’s government is obtaining stronger support from other Arab states – along with Russia, Iran, and China – when making this demand.
In early May, Egyptian, Iraqi, Jordanian, and Saudi officials met with their Syrian counterparts and expressed their collective desire to see Assad’s government take full territorial control of Syria. Whether these US-friendly Arab states supporting the Syrian government’s position on the US occupation of Syria will have any effect on Washington’s policies remains an open question.
Yet, some experts doubt that the Syria’s return to the Arab League will impact the US military presence in Syria where American troops persistently exploit the country’s natural resources. Fatima Alghool, a Damascus-based Syrian journalist, believes what will matter most for the future of the US occupation of Syrian land is the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. She explained to The Cradle that there are two likely scenarios whereby the US military would retreat from Syria:
“The first is an agreement with Damascus, which is unlikely in the foreseeable future. The second is the repetition of the Iraqi scenario, and the withdrawal of the American forces due to the high costs they pay, whether financially or morally.”
Syrian refugee crisis
Fifth, is the conundrum over what to do with more than 5.5 million externally displaced Syrian refugees in the region. As underscored by the way the Syrian refugee issue played out in this month’s Turkish elections, those countries hosting millions of displaced Syrians since 2011 have had to deal with extreme economic challenges in doing so. Today, there is much pressure on these governments to push ahead with plans to repatriate Syrian refugees.
Within the context of normalization talks, Jordanian officials have emphasized the need to bolster the Syrian economy and issue amnesty for refugees – many of whom distrust Assad’s government – so that they are assured of safety and a home to return to. But given the stark reality of economic conditions and political dynamics in Syria, the proposals will require a lot more planning, investment, and wrangling of guarantees than currently exists.
Alghool tells The Cradle that while Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkiye are pushing for repatriation, “Damascus always links the return of refugees to reconstruction as a precondition for their return, arguing that these refugees must find homes to live in.” But how to do this without lifting or bypassing western sanctions aimed at Syria’s reconstruction sector?
“The Saudi vision in this regard coincides with the vision of Damascus, which links the return of refugees to securing the necessary infrastructure and improving living conditions in Syria, indicating Saudi intentions to contribute to the reconstruction of Syria,” she adds.
A Republican win in the next US elections may pave the way forward, suggests Alghool. She points to the “good relationship” between the GOP and the Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, and says Riyadh can apply certain pressures on a Republican president to ease up on Syria “and ensure that Washington will not oppose it.”
Concessions, rehabilitation, and rivalries
Today, most Arab states regard Syria in ways that starkly diverge from Washington’s goal of isolating and sanctioning Damascus into collapse.
There does remain a divide in how far these states may be willing to proceed with Syria. Arab League members like Egypt and Jordan are taking very incremental steps forward, trying to wrest concessions from Damascus for each move along the normalization path. Others like Tunisia and the UAE, on the other hand, seem to demand nothing from Assad’s government in exchange for reconciliation.
There are yet others, such as regional mediator Oman, which never split with Damascus even when the Sultanate’s fellow GCC members did. It comes as no surprise then that Muscat, “the city of secret negotiations,” has recently hosted direct “secret talks” between Syrian and US officials to discuss a variety of pressing issues.
Following Assad’s speech in Jeddah, the Syrian government feels emboldened and will try to push for further reintegration into the Arab world’s diplomatic fold while making as few concessions as possible.
But things are moving quickly in both regional and global geopolitics. How the different Arab League members choose to engage Damascus and how their own rivalries play out in relation to Assad’s government – and western pressure on Syria – will become clearer this year and next.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of The Cradle.
Beirut – Every year on the 25th of May, Lebanon and the Arab and Islamic world observe the Resistance and Liberation Day which marks the historic “Israeli” defeat and withdrawal from Lebanon in the year 2000.
After long years of occupation, “Israeli” enemy forces were forced by the Lebanese Resistance to evacuate their positions and hastily escape from Lebanon towards occupied Palestine.
This humiliating withdrawal under the strikes of the Islamic Resistance [Hezbollah] marked the first defeat of “Israeli” forces in Lebanon and the Arab world.
The “Israelis” along with the western world, mainly the US, have worked for long time to deeply entrench in the Arab conscience that “Israel” is immune to all criticism and vetoes, and its army is an invincible one that has supremacy over all Arab armies.
They wanted to convince people that any resistance to “Israel” is futile and would definitely lose.
The United Nations and the Security Council have never done anything to help Lebanon get rid of the “Israeli” occupation.
The UN resolution 425, which provides that “Israel” should withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories, was there for more than two decades; no real or serious effort has been exercised to put this international resolution into implementation.
The Lebanese people, especially in south Lebanon and west Beqaa, waited years and years without any hope. The Lebanese government and state did not provide them with any help to defend themselves, so they were forced to start the defense by themselves.
Back in 1978, Imam Sayyed Moussa Sadr was the first to start the military resistance against “Israel”. Ever since then, this resistance started to grow bigger and stronger until it reached where it is now.
Our resistance has become mightier, stronger and more efficient that it is capable now, not only of producing formulas of liberation, security and deterrence, but also of posing an existential threat to the very existence of the “Israeli” entity.
The Resistance now has extended its presence and upgraded its efficiency. The Resistance now has an axis that stretches from Gaza to Sanaa, passing through Lebanon, Syria and Iraq reaching to Iran.
The capabilities are important and extremely efficient to stand up to all challenges, be it military, security or economic ones.
The “Israeli” entity and its allies have to make recalculations for all their conspiracies and plots.
History has made its shift and it is a major one. This shift is in favor of the region and its people and not in favor of the apartheid “Israeli” state and its allies.
The whole region now is at the eve of a new historical epoch that might usher in a new era. This era of triumph and steadfastness has one simple strong title; the Resistance.
In his speech, President Al-Assad spoke of the opportunity this wave of discontent and anger has provided to the Region to revise its dispositions – away from Western dominance and intervention
By Alastair Crooke
America’s own structural contradictions of a hyper-financialised economy, sucking the substance from its real-economy host — of a society living in trembling fear of a hospital bill.
The US stands aloof and disconsolate in the wake of the diplomatic revolution in the Middle East. First, China mediated (and guaranteed) a settlement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and then last week, President Bashar al-Assad strode confidently into the Arab League summit – to greetings and kisses all around. President Assad, after 12 long years of struggle, has been legitimised within the Arab sphere, and is returned as a normal, sovereign state for most of the world.
But a new mood has arisen: Anger is building across the world. To those that have been vilified, sanctioned and attacked in the name of the ‘Rules-based Order’ the message is clear: You are not alone; many peoples are voicing their anger and discontent. The divisive ‘with us’, or (be treated as extremist threat), if ‘against us’ dogma is being overthrown. US foreign policy is crumbling across the Middle East, and in Asia, Africa and South America.
In his speech, President Al-Assad spoke of the opportunity this wave of discontent and anger has provided to the Region to revise its dispositions – away from Western dominance and intervention:
“Today we are facing an opportunity to change the international situation that appears in the form of a unipolar world, a result of the dominance of the West, who lacks all ethics and principles … This historic opportunity requires the Arab World to reposition itself and invest in the positive atmosphere of reconciliation that preceded today’s summit”, Al-Assad added, referring to recent diplomatic initiatives which resulted in Saudi Arabia’s resumption of diplomatic ties with Tehran and Damascus.
President Al-Assad also stressed the need to consolidate Arab culture in the face of “modern liberalism, which targets the innate affiliations of man and strips him of his morals and identity”.
This latter point by Al-Assad — ‘the cultural danger’ associated with contemporary woke liberalism — is noticeably becoming a global theme, as states emphasise the wish to manage lives in their own way of being.
Of course, Syria is not yet sovereign. US and Turkish forces, together with foreign-backed militia, occupy significant portions of Syrian land. Nonetheless, the Arab League’s position on rejecting foreign intervention and their de-facto legitimisation of the Syrian government will assist Damascus in finding a negotiated outcome.
For “Israel”, the prospect ahead is one of radical change, amidst fears of “being left in the dust”. Prime Minister Netanyahu, amidst domestic schisms and continuing protests, has been seeking to downplay these tectonic shifts, and to project an image of ‘business as usual’ to counter the foreign media focus on protests and political turmoil within “Israel”.
Attacking the Palestinians in Gaza helps keep Netanyahu’s Right-leaning coalition intact — as one Israeli commentator wrote: “Killing children brings Israelis together”. However, Netanyahu’s two Israeli-unity mainstays for ‘gathering Israelis around the flag’: hyping the Iranian nuclear ‘threat’, and lauding his achievement of the so-called Abrahams Accord, have both lost their shine.
Firstly, the reconciliation between Iran and Gulf States voids much of the original justification — Arab fear of Iran — for US’ Iran policy. The two former antagonists presently are resolving their differences diplomatically (under Chinese guidance), and exchanging mutual security assurances between them. In any event, Team Biden does not want war with Iran. It has enough on its plate already.
And secondly, Jake Sullivan, on his recent trip to Saudi Arabia, failed to persuade the Kingdom to normalise with “Israel”. Arab States at the summit rather, are emphasising the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative which precludes normalisation with “Israel”, until a Palestinian State has come into existence. The States which have ‘normalised’ will continue in the same mode, but the conceptual structure of the Abraham Accords (from the Israeli perspective) is entirely hollowed out. Arab States are busy opening diplomatic and trade channels with Iran; they are no longer manning an anti-Iran axis on behalf of Washington and “Tel Aviv”.
Were we to stand-back and see Regional events in a wider arc, we might notice two things about the global situation: The first is that “Israel’s” present travails, and signs of a putative unravelling of the project, spring not, as its leaders and external allies incessantly have prognosticated, from outside forces, but from “Israel’s” own internal unresolved contradictions.
“Israel’s” structural problem is underscored by the current, bitter stand-off over Netanyahu’s plan for Judicial Reform. The Israeli Jewish population is split down the middle: Ashkenazi vs Mizrahi; secular ‘balancers’ vs ‘Jewishness’ exclusivists — with neither side willing to back down and each claiming to be the ‘more democratic’; and each with a vision of “Israel” that is wholly incompatible with that of the ‘other’. “Israel” rests at the cusp of low-intensity civil conflict.
Similarly, America’s polarisation and deepening political divide, which for some Americans also portends some form of internal secession as the only solution to America’s own putative unravelling, spring not – as its political leaders insist – from outside forces (from Russia, China or Iran), but from its own unresolved contradictions.
America’s own structural contradictions of a hyper-financialised economy, sucking the substance from its real-economy host — of a society living in trembling fear of a hospital bill; of despairing to put their children through college with its exorbitant fees; and a political system in near constant paralysis, a zero-sum confrontation — are self-generated and are not external ‘demons’ (except perhaps, in the depths of the unconscious psyche).
Here is the contrast: The Region is shaking itself free from the divisions and schisms of the past. Western ‘great powers’, however, are sinking deeper into theirs. This confluence is systemically unstable: it represents an imbalance, and likely will lead to a period of sustained turmoil.
The opinions mentioned in this article do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Al mayadeen, but rather express the opinion of its writer exclusively.
أعلنت تركيا تأسيس 12 مكتباً في 12 محافظة تركية لتسهيل عودة السوريين (أ ف ب)
في تطوّر هو الأوّل من نوعه منذ ستّة أشهر، نفّذت طائرات حربية غارات على مواقع لفصائل متشدّدة في منطقة جبل الزاوية قرب طريق «M4» (حلب – اللاذقية)، في وقت شهدت فيه نقاط التماس في ريف اللاذقية قصفاً متبادلاً بالمدفعية. وجاءت الغارات الجوّية التي طاولت، وفق مصادر ميدانية، مخازن أسلحة وغرف إدارة عمليات، في وقت تنتظر فيه تركيا تحديد موعد نهائي لعقد اجتماع على مستوى «الرباعية» (سوري – تركي – روسي – إيراني) لبحث مسوّدة تقوم لجان أمنية وعسكرية بإعدادها، حتى تكون بمثابة خريطة طريق (في حال تمّ التوافق عليها) لحلحلة المشاكل المعقّدة بين البلدَين.
وبينما سجّل الميدان السياسي اشتباكاً كلامياً غير مباشر بين أنقرة ودمشق، على خلفية تمسّك الأولى بوجودها العسكري على الأراضي السورية، وإصرار الثانية على وضع جدول واضح لخروج هذه القوات، زار وزيرا دفاع وداخلية تركيا، خلوصي أكار وسليمان صويلو، مناطق في الشمال السوري، في سياق الحملة الانتخابية للرئيس التركي، رجب طيب إردوغان. ووضع صويلو الحجرَ الأساسَ لقرية سكنية في مدينة جرابلس، في ريف حلب الشمالي الشرقي، ضمن مشروع «مدن الطوب»، معلناً، في كلمة بالمناسبة، تأسيس 12 مكتباً في 12 محافظة تركية لتسهيل عودة السوريين إلى بلادهم، والسكن في تلك المدن.
وفي ما يمكن اعتباره سابقة، أشار الوزير التركي إلى أن هذه المشاريع تأتي بالتعاون مع قطر، التي تقوم عبر مؤسّسات تابعة لها بتمويلها، علماً أن أنقرة دأبت على الترويج لكون ما تقوم به في الشمال السوري مموَّلاً من المنظّمات الإنسانية الدولية ومنظّمات المجتمع المدني التركي. وتعيد مصادر سورية معارِضة، الحديث الصريح عن الدور القطري، إلى سببيَن: الأوّل، انتخابي، بهدف تقديم تطمينات للناخبين الأتراك بأن «مدن الطوب» ليست من جيوبهم؛ والثاني، رغبة قطرية واضحة في العودة إلى المشهد السوري، بعد مرحلة عملت خلالها الدوحة من خلف تركيا التي كانت تتصدّر المشهد.
وضع صويلو الحجرَ الأساسَ لقرية سكنية في مدينة جرابلس
وتكشف المصادر، في حديث إلى «الأخبار»، أن اجتماعاً عُقد أخيراً، ضمّ مجموعة من قادة الفصائل المنتشرة في ريف حلب، وناقش تشكيل غرفة عمليات للتصدّي لـ«هيئة تحرير الشام» (جبهة النصرة سابقاً)، بعد تعثّر تشكيل هذه الغرفة أكثر من مرّة في أوقات سابقة، موضحةً أن هذه التحرّكات تأتي استجابة لإيعازات تركية سابقة بتشكيل هيكلية مؤسّساتية للفصائل لوقف الفوضى القائمة، وتمهيد الأرض لإعادة اللاجئين، بالإضافة إلى تشكيل هيكلية اقتصادية تقلّل، قدر الإمكان، من الاعتماد على التمويل التركي الذي بدأ ينضب. وكان الأتراك أبلغوا الفصائل، بشكل واضح، بأن عليهم أن يقتدوا بما فعله زعيم «تحرير الشام»، أبو محمد الجولاني، تحت طائلة تسليم الأخير قيادة ريف حلب، خصوصاً أنه بات يتمتّع بعلاقات وطيدة مع أطراف دولية عدّة، من بينها الولايات المتحدة التي يتبادل معها معلومات استخباراتية بشكل مستمرّ حول «جهاديين» تعمل واشنطن على التخلّص منهم، بالإضافة إلى علاقته مع قطر، ودول أخرى مِن مِثل فرنسا التي يعمل أخيراً على تفكيك آخر ما تبقّى من «جهاديّيها» الناشطين ضمن جماعة «الغرباء».
وبالعودة إلى التسخين الميداني على نقاط التماس في ريف إدلب وصولاً إلى ريف اللاذقية، والذي كان يرتبط بمحاولات الجولاني إثبات وجوده عبر عمليات خاطفة ينفّذها «انغماسيون»، فهو يأتي هذه المرّة بالتزامن مع عكوف أنقرة على إعداد مسوّدة لخريطة طريق مشتركة مع دمشق. وتتركّز تلك المسوّدة، وفق تسريبات عديدة، على الجانبَين الاقتصادي والإنساني في مرحلتها الأولى، حيث تسعى إلى فتح طرق الترانزيت، بما فيها معبر باب الهوى في إدلب، والذي يُعتبر البوّابة الكبرى لمرور الشاحنات، بالإضافة إلى تثبيت معابر دائمة لعودة السوريين إلى مناطق سيطرة الحكومة السورية، سواءٌ منهم اللاجئون في تركيا، أو النازحون في المخيمات العشوائية قرب الشريط الحدودي. وينذر هذا التزامن بتحوّلات ميدانية عديدة، سواء في إدلب التي تشكّل نقطة ارتكاز الخطّة التركية، أو في ريف حلب الذي حوّله الجولاني خلال الشهور الماضية إلى حديقة خلفية قد يلجأ إليها في حال التوافق التركي – السوري على إخراجه من إدلب بشكل كامل. أمّا في حال تَقرّر نفيه منها بشكل جزئي، فقد يدفعه ذلك إلى تقوية حضوره الميداني عبر قضم ريف حلب، وصولاً إلى معبر باب السلامة قرب أعزاز، والذي يمكن أن يشكّل بديلاً من باب الهوى.
On Resistance and Liberation Day, Hezbollah Secretary General, Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, addressed the recent threats made by Zionist officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, against Lebanon and the entire axis of resistance.
He strongly emphasized that such a “Great War” would ultimately lead the Israelis to their own downfall.
During a televised speech on the Resistance and Liberation Day, Sayyed Nasrallah urged the Zionist officials to avoid making miscalculations in Lebanon, Gaza, the West Bank, Palestine, Syria, and Iran.
He made it clear that it is not Hezbollah but the Zionist officials who should be cautious, stating, “Wait! We are the ones who threaten to wage a great war.” He warned that their recklessness could potentially ignite the entire region and pave the way for a disastrous conflict, referred to as the “Great War.” “Your follies, not ours, might blow up the entire region and lead to the Great War,” he said.
Sayyed Nasrallah stated that in the event of an all-out war initiated by the Zionist enemy, there will be an influx of hundreds of thousands of highly skilled fighters onto the battlefields. He emphasized that all borders would be opened, citing a humanitarian advantage over the Israelis in this context.
Sayyed Nasrallah indicated that the Zionist officials withdrew their intimidation after realizing that it has troubled the Zionist settlers, caused a dollar price hike, and threatened the touristic activities.
‘Israel’ must know none of the axis of resistance groups and states is afraid of it
Sayyed Nasrallah discussed several significant geopolitical developments that have shaped the conflict with the Israeli enemy. He emphasized that the axis of resistance has successfully maintained deterrence strategies tailored to each front, including Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Iran.
Regarding the recent Israeli aggression on Gaza, Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted that the deterrence formula remained unchanged, leading the Israeli enemy to issue threats against Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and the Palestinian people. However, he pointed out that the Zionist officials retreated from their intimidation tactics after witnessing Hezbollah’s military maneuvers.
The Hezbollah leader also noted the failure of the US-Zionist plot to impose normalization deals on Arab regimes without considering the will of the Arab people. He emphasized that even the conspiracy to bring the regional countries under Israeli influence was bound to fail, as victorious resistance groups emerged in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
In addition, Sayyed Nasrallah underscored the significant advancements made by Hezbollah and the entire axis of resistance in terms of materialistic, financial, and military development. He specifically highlighted the remarkable progress achieved in the fields of drones and rockets.
Sayyed Nasrallah also drew attention to the deep divisions within Israeli society and the vulnerability of their so-called home front, which undermines solidarity among the groups and states within the axis of resistance.
An important transformation highlighted by Sayyed Nasrallah is the Israelis’ increasing tendency to seek ways to avoid direct confrontation.
Emphasizing the role of human determination in achieving victories, Sayyed Nasrallah emphasized that the axis of resistance relies on this factor to uphold values of bravery and sacrifice.
Sayyed Nasrallah depicted contrasting images of the devout resistance youth and the disillusioned younger generation in Israel. He mentioned that Netanyahu had acknowledged a decade ago that Zionist youths were disengaging from Zionism.
Furthermore, Sayyed Nasrallah underscored the loss of influential leaders within the Zionist entity, in contrast to the overwhelming confidence placed in resistance leaders, movements, and states. He noted that the people within the axis of resistance are willing to sacrifice the lives of their children for this cause.
In response to accusations from America and Israel, Sayyed Nasrallah clarified that the components of the axis of resistance are defenders of their original homelands, not mere proxy groups. He contrasted this with the Zionists, whom he characterized as intruders and occupiers in the region.
Hezbollah Chief reiterated that Palestine will be liberated and that “we will pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque”.
The Secretary General of Hezbollah emphasized that the Israelis are apprehensive about the waning influence of US hegemony in the region and the world at large. He stated that the axis of resistance, which stood against the American era, will benefit from a new world system based on multipolarism.
Sayyed Nasrallah pointed out that the US retreat and failures have compelled them to reassess their presence and role in the region.
He tackled the strategic changes brought about by the achievements of the resistance in the past few decades, briefly mentioning the demise of the Zionist aspiration for a “Greater Israel” extending from the Nile to the Euphrates in 2000 and 2005 (referring to the Liberation of Southern Lebanon and Gaza, respectively).
Furthermore, he emphasized that even the Zionist objective of maintaining a “Greater Israel” was shattered in 2006 when Hezbollah defeated the Israeli military and in 2008 when the Palestinian resistance overcame Israeli forces in Gaza.
“Israel now hides behind walls and firepower, becoming incapable of imposing its terms in negotiations with the Palestinian people,” remarked Sayyed Nasrallah.
He affirmed that the conflict with the Zionist enemy is ongoing, with the Israelis making daily attempts to attack their territories.
Lebanon
Sayyed Nasrallah reassured that the Israeli feebleness grants Lebanon a larger extent of peace and security which would allow them to pursue their concerns.
In this regard, Sayyed Nasrallah indicated that the Lebanese would be able to follow up the maritime gas extraction project, adding that reports indicate a serious progress pertaining this file.
His eminence added that developing the touristic sector and attracting tourists requires peace and security in order to cope with the socioeconomic crisis.
Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that the Resistance is capable to protect Lebanon’s peace and security, adding that the army-people-resistance formula contribute to achieving this goal.
Concerning the presidential elections, Sayyed Nasrallah cited a positive regional atmosphere and called for further contacts and negotiations without preconditions in order to elect a new president.
Sayyed Nasrallah stressed that addressing the BDL governor issue can be addressed through either a personal decision taken by Riad Salameh to resign or a judicial procedure that sacks him, noting the caretaker government cannot take any measure in this regard according to the Constitution.
Pertaining the Syrian refugees file, Sayyed Nasrallah reiterated his call on the government to send a high-ranking delegation to Damascus in order to hold talks about this issue.
Hezbollah Secretary General had started his speech by felicitating the Lebanese people on the 23rd anniversary of Resistance and Liberation Day, stressing that it is a great occasion which recalls a majestic victory.
Sayyed Nasrallah thanked Holy God and hailed the sacrifices made by the Resistance martyrs, injured, prisoners and fighters which contributed to the liberation victory.
Sayyed Nasrallah underscored the role of the other Lebanese and Palestinian resistance factions in addition to the role of the Lebanese Army and Security Forces in reaching this victory, greeting the Lebanese statesmen, politicians and parties which contributed to the feat.
Sayyed Nasrallah hailed the Islamic Republic of Iran and Syria for supporting the Resistance during its fight against the Zionist occupation.
His eminence underlined the importance of conveying the experience of pride to the new generations in order to let them know about the occasion and keep committed to the Resistance that protects this victory.
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Hezbollah Secretary General His Eminence Sayyed Nasrallah delivered on Thursday a speech as Lebanon celebrates the 23rd anniversary of the Resistance and Liberation Day.
At the beginning of his televised speech, Sayyed Nasrallah viewed that that ‘Resistance and Liberation Day’ is a great occasion that reminds of the great victory that was achieved in Lebanon. “The Resistance and Liberation Day is a great occasion that recalls the majestic victory which was achieved in Lebanon on this day.”
He further congratulated the Lebanese people on the beautiful and dear occasion. In addition, His Eminence thanked the Lebanese Army, the Security Forces, the Palestinian factions, and all presidents and political powers that supported the resistance, and thanks Iran and Syria who supported and are still supporting the resistance and all its leaders
Moreover, the Resistance Leader thanked all those who contributed to the victory a top of whom are the martyrs, the wounded, the liberated detainees, the Mujahideen and all their families.
Sayyed Nasrallah also thanked all the people who remained defiant and embraced, supported, and protected the resistance in all the Lebanese regions especially South Lebanon and Beqaa.
“After the withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, and the withdrawal from Gaza, there is nothing called ‘Great Israel’,” he said, noting that “Today, ‘Israel’ hides behind walls and fire, and it’s unable to impose its conditions in any negotiations with the Palestinian people.”
Meanwhile, His Eminence underlined that “Those who suspect that the battle against our enemy has finished are mistaken as there is part of our land which is still under occupation.”
Sayyed Nasrallah highlighted the necessity of commemorating this occasion by saying: “The Lebanese generations and all people must be reminded that this victory was not granted, but was instead an outcome of long years of sacrifices.”
He also warned that Some sides seek to waste the achieved victory. “We have to prevent this.”
In addition, Hezbollah Secretary General clarified that “Our struggle dates back to May 17, which means the wrong choices, and May 15, which is the Day of Nakba, and reaches May 25th, which represents the right choices.”
“After the withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, and the withdrawal from Gaza, there is nothing called ‘Great Israel’,” he confirmed, noting that “The occupation entity’s transformations, which was supposed to be strong and dominant, are the results of the long struggle and the history of sacrifices.”
Sayyed Nasrallah went on to say: “‘Israel’ has no interest in a multipolar world, but rather a one-pole world led by the US.”
“‘Israel’s’ internal division comes at a time the resistance axis enjoys great cohesion and steadfastness,” he stressed, pointing out that “Among the goals of the global war on Syria was to oust it from the axis of resistance.”
According to His Eminence, “The Iranian president’s positions during his latest visit to Syria after 12 years of global war on it confirm the coherence of the axis of resistance.”
Regarding the axis of the resistance’s strength, the Resistance Leader assured that “The pillar of resistance is the human, who believes in his cause and right and who possesses bravery and daring. The axis of resistance has an excellent human capacity as well as spirit in Gaza, Al-Quds, the West Bank, and the entire region.”
Commenting on the recent “Israeli” threats, Sayyed Nasrallah sent sounding messages: “The ‘Israeli’ has miscalculations if he thinks that the great war will be with the Palestinians only or the Lebanese only.
He further responded to “Israeli” PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s threats, by affirming: “You are not the ones who threaten with the great war, but we are the ones threatening you with it.”
On this level, His Eminence unveiled that “Any great war will include all borders and its areas and fields will be narrowed by hundreds of thousands of fighters, and we have tremendous superiority when we tackle the human aspect.”
Moving to the disturbed “Israeli” internal arena, Sayyed Nasrallah explained that “Today, there is a loss of confidence in the entity’s institutions, while our people have overwhelming confidence in the resistance leaders, movements, and countries, as they are ready to sacrifice the lives of their children in this path.”
“One of our strong points is the ‘Israeli’ enemy’s internal front, which is facing an ideological retreat,” he stated, noting that “One of the important transformations is that the ‘Israeli’ internal front is weak and feeble, and that the ‘Israelis’ are ready and seek to flee.”
His Eminence also viewed that “There is hope more than ever to liberate Palestine from the river to the sea. The enemy’s entity has lost its historic leaders.”
Assuring that the deterrence equation is what protects Lebanon, the Resistance Leader asserted that “The ‘Israelis’ backtracked their latest threats due to fear in the settlements and after Hezbollah’s latest wargames. Netanyahu has failed to restore deterrence through the latest Gaza confrontation. ‘Israel’ resorted to escalating its rhetoric after the failure in Gaza.”
On this level, he urged the “Israeli” enemy’s premier, war minister and army chief to be careful and not to make wrong calculations.
“We’re confident and certain that Palestine will be liberated and that we will pray in Al-Aqsa Mosque, as the occupying entity is moving towards demise,” His Eminence reiterated, noting that “Among the major transformations is the development of the resistance’s military capabilities, an example of which is what we have in Lebanon.”
Sayyed Nasrallah estimated that “The one who should fear the great war is ‘Israel’,” underlining that “The ‘Israelis’ failed to strengthen their deterrence and realized that they would pay the price for every attack.”
Moreover, he disclosed that “The “Israelis” retreated from their threats because of the decline in the touristic activity and the ‘shekel’ against the dollar.”
“The enemy must fear, pay attention and not be dragged to any miscalculation by committing any mistake in any country that might lead to a great war,” he added, noting that “The great war in the region will move the ‘Israeli” entity to the abyss and to its demise.”
To “Israel”, Sayyed Nasrallah sent a clear threat “The ‘Israelis’ must know that none of the resistance movements fears them. Any mistake might blow up the entire region.”
Calling on all Lebanese to put bickering aside amid the presence of a true protection umbrella for Lebanon. The resistance Leader underscored that “The ‘army, people and resistance’ equation protected Lebanon as security remains a prerequisite for any economic and political treatment.”
He also viewed that “The ‘Israeli’ entity managed to normalize relations with some Arab regimes, but it was unable to normalize relations with the Arab people. The occupation realized that the Arab regimes are incapable of imposing normalization on their people.”
Moving to the internal Lebanese arena, Sayyed Nasrallah called again the Lebanese to return to dialogue to address their crises. “The regional equations call for optimism,” he added.
His Eminence commented on the issue of ‘the Banque du Liban’s’ Governor: Either he steps down himself or the judiciary takes responsibility because the caretaker government doesn’t have the authority to remove him
“The issue of the Syrian refugees can be resolved through a decision to send a Lebanese government’s delegation to Syria,” he said.
On the presidential file, Hezbollah Secretary General concluded: “Further dialogue and contacts are required and we call for discussing the presidential choices without preconditions.”
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القادة العرب بمعظمهم عبّروا عن سعادتهم بحضور سوريا، وأملهم أن يكون هذا اللقاء فاتحة مرحلة عمل عربي جديدة وغنية تعود بالخير على الشعب العربي في جميع أقطاره.
القادة العرب بمعظمهم عبّروا عن سعادتهم بحضور سوريا
هذا هو السؤال الذي يسأله الجميع: كيف كانت القمّة؟ ولكن، لا بدّ أولاً من تحديد المقصود من السؤال؟ وعن أي الأطراف؟ أو أي المستويات نريد أن نتحدث؟ لنبدأ من العموم. كانت القمة منظمة تنظيماً هائلاً ومحكماً؛ فكلّ الأمور تسير بانسيابية عالية، وكلّ الوفود تشعر بالاهتمام والترحيب. ورغم الأعداد الكبيرة الموجودة، لم يشعر أحد أن عليه إعادة السؤال مرتين.
ومن نافل القول إن الضيافة كانت عربية أصيلة بامتياز، وأن المضيفين استقبلوا الجميع، وتعاملوا معهم بغاية المودّة والاحترام، ولم تفارق الابتسامة وجوههم أبداً حيثما كانوا. وما يثلج الصدر أيضاً أنك تتحدث لغة عربية مع الجميع، فلا مترجمين ولا من يحزنون، وهذه ميزة وخاصة من خصائص هذه الأمة، ومن نعم الله عليها قلّ نظيرها في أمم أخرى. حتى ممثل الاتحاد الأفريقي وممثل منظمة المؤتمر الإسلامي تحدثا باللغة العربية.
تشعر وأنت داخل القاعة باعتزاز كبير، ولكن بثقل المسؤولية؛ لأن لدى كل هذه الوفود عشرات من النقاط المشتركة التي لم يتمّ العمل عليها بما تستحق، ولو تمّ العمل عليها وإعطاؤها الأولوية ووضع الخطوات التنفيذية لها لكانت كفيلة بنقل هذه الأمة من حال إلى حال لتصبح قوة إقليمية ودولية يُحسب لها ألف حساب.
ولكنك تشعر بالأمل بأن تكون المتغيرات الدولية والإقليمية قد ساهمت أيضاً في خلق متغيّرات على الساحة العربية، وفي الوعي العربي وأسلوب العمل العربي. فللمرة الأولى يتم تحديد كلمات الزعماء بخمس دقائق لكلّ منهم، فلم تكن هناك لغة إنشائية، أو خطب عصماء بحيث يصاب البعض بالملل ويخرجون من القاعة، كما كانت العادة، بل كان اجتماعاً محدداً، وكانت الكلمات قصيرة مكثّفة تختلف في مستويات طروحاتها ورؤاها، ولكنها تتسم بالجدية والرغبة في مقاربة الهدف.
طبعاً، ومع هذه الاستدارة، لا يريد أحد أن يزيد من حجم التحديات أو التوقعات، وكأن هناك تفهماً غير معلن وغير مكتوب أن لكلّ بلد أولويات واعتبارات، وأن الهدف ليس أن يتخلّى أحد عن رؤاه ومصالحه، بل أن يتفهم رؤى الآخر ومصالحه، وأن يتقبل الاختلافات ويسرع الخطى في البناء على المشتركات، وهذه مقاربة واقعية واعدة إذا ما تم تعزيز هذا النهج وتعميقه في مجالات العمل العربي المشتركة، وفي اللقاءات والقمم العربية القادمة.
أما اللقاءات الثنائية، سواء على مستوى أعضاء الوفود الرسمية أو على مستوى الزعماء، فكانت تبدو وديّة، بصرف النظر عما يروّج له الإعلام الغربي والإعلام المغرض من مواقف متشددة أو معارضة لهذا الشأن أو ذاك. وبدا ذلك واضحاً في اللقاءات غير الرسمية التي سبقت انعقاد القمة، إذ كان الجميع يسلّمون على بعضهم ويتفقدون أحوال بعضهم في مفارقة كبيرة لما يروّجه الإعلام الذي يستهدفنا جميعاً من فروقات حادة بين هذا البلد وذاك، ونتيجة هذا الموقف أو هذه السياسة أو تلك. كل أعضاء الوفود تحدثوا مع بعضهم بحرارة ومودّة، ولم أرَ أحداً يعزف عن رؤية أحد أو يتهرب من اللقاء به أو الحديث معه.
وبدا لي في هذا اللقاء الذي استمرّ أقلّ من ساعة قبل الاجتماع الرسمي نبض الشعب العربي والحرص على الالتزام بقضاياه، كل قضاياه، والاعتزاز بالصامدين والمنتمين لأفكارهم وللعروبة والشاعرين بالاعتزاز والكبر في وجه محاولات الاستفراد ببلد دون آخر. وكانت فلسطين وتضحيات الشعب الفلسطيني حاضرة في وجدان الجميع وأحاديثهم، والأمل الكبير بمستقبل أفضل لليمن وليبيا، والسعادة الواضحة بوجود سوريا بين أهلها وإخوانها، وأهمية أن تكون سوريا حاضرة لما لها من تاريخ حضاري وانتماء عروبي وحرص مشهود لها على تعزيز العمل العربي المشترك.
وهنا، لا بدّ أن نتذكر أن كابوس الغرب والدول الاستعمارية يكمن في مقاربة عربية توحد الرؤى والصفوف، ولذلك ركّز الإعلام المغرض على التحديات والاختلافات، وعلى أي ثغرة يمكن له أن يدخل منها ويزيد في عمقها واتساعها. وهذا ليس جديداً لأن سياسة من يستهدف هذه الأمة قامت على قاعدة بسيطة وقديمة وهي التفريق بين أبنائها، ودبّ الشك والريبة بين صفوف مواطنيها، سواء في داخل البلد الواحد أو على مستوى الأمة.
الحقيقة هي أن القادة العرب بمعظمهم عبّروا عن سعادتهم بحضور سوريا، وأملهم أن يكون هذا اللقاء فاتحة مرحلة عمل عربي جديدة وغنية تعود بالخير على الشعب العربي في جميع أقطاره. كما تناولت اللقاءات الثنائية أهمية الاهتمام باللغة العربية؛ لغة التواصل ولغة الثقافة والمعبّرة عن هويتنا بكل أبعادها، والتحرر من الاستلاب الغربي الذي فرضه الاستعمار علينا بأساليبه وقوة إعلامه وهيمنته.
والجديد في الأمر، والذي يثلج الصدر أنه لم تظهر أي توقعات أن تكون سياسة أي بلد انعكاساً لسياسة بلد آخر، بل أن نبحث عن المصلحة المشتركة خاصة في هذا العالم الذي يتّجه ليكون عالماً متعدد الأقطاب، حيث لكل بلد عربي خياراته المستقلة التي تعكس مصالحه القطرية، ولكن مع التشديد على المشترك بين المصالح العربية، وهذا يعني التخلّص من العقلية التي حكمت العمل العربي لمراحل عديدة وهي: “إما أن نتفق معاً على كل شيء أو لا علاقة أبداً بين بلداننا”.
يحذونا الأمل أن يعني هذا اقتراب التجربة العربية من النضج، والتوصّل إلى الاستنتاج السليم والهام، وهو أن نكون أشقاء وأصدقاء مع الاحترام لوجهات نظر الآخر، والاستفادة حتى من نقاط الاختلاف والتعلّم من تجارب بعضنا بعضاً، لما فيه خيرنا جميعاً. ولا شك في أن ما حدث لسوريا والمواقف حيالها والنتائج التي تمخّضت عن كل هذا الاستهداف كان لها دور في درجة الوعي والشجاعة لدى العرب القادرين على إدارة شؤونهم، والساعين للتخلّص تماماً من الهيمنة الغربية وما تفرضه على بلداننا، استمراراً للعقلية الاستعمارية وسياسة النهب لمواردنا وثرواتنا.
ولم يكن ظهور زيلينسكي في القمة إلا محاولة فاشلة من قبل الدول الغربية التي تريد أن تثبت أنها ما زالت موجودة، بينما كان حضور سوريا الطاغي وحضور السيد الرئيس بشار الأسد واستكمال العروبة ألقها وحضورها هو الأهم في القمة، وهو الحدث الذي يُبنى عليه والعلامة الفارقة التي شدّت من أزر الجميع.
صناعة التاريخ تحتاج إلى وقت قبل وبعد انبعاث الوعي وشحذ الهمم، واليوم نستطيع أن نقول إن ما كنا نحلم به من وعي العرب لمقدراتهم واستقلالهم الحقيقي ووزنهم الإقليمي بدأ يتبلور. ومن الجميل أن تكون انطلاقته من بلد عربي له وزنه في ضمير العرب والمسلمين وله تاريخه في الإنجازات التي تتحقق حالما تشبك السعودية وسوريا يداً بيد مع كل البلدان العربية الأخرى التي تتشاطر الإدراك والعزيمة على بناء مستقبل واعد لأجيالنا القادمة يليق بأمة اختار الله عزّ وجل لغتها لرسالته السماوية، وأنتجت من العلوم ما ساهم في نهضة العالم وازدهار شعوبه في قارات الأرض المختلفة.
في هذا المسار يلعب الإعلام المنتمي والهادف دوراً هاماً في دحض الافتراءات التي لا يتوقف الإعلام المغرض عن نشرها، وفي الانتباه إلى تسليط الضوء على النقاط المضيئة من العمل العربي بثقة بالنفس والمستقبل، ويقين أن هذه الأمة قادرة على النهوض وتشكيل وزن إقليمي ودولي يحسب له حساب.
إن الآراء المذكورة في هذه المقالة لا تعبّر بالضرورة عن رأي الميادين وإنما تعبّر عن رأي صاحبها حصراً
Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem
Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed on Tuesday that the Resistance wargames sent a message of readiness and deterrence to the Zionist enemy.
In an interview with Al-Manar TV on Resistance and Liberation DAy, Sheikh Qassem indicated that the Resistance wanted to tell the Israeli enemy that the next battle will be in occupied Palestine.
“During the upcoming war, Zionists will not be able to sip coffee in Tel Aviv. The Israelis will see what they have not seen if they commit any folly”
Sheikh Qassem said that Hezbollah military drills displayed only a party of the Resistance arsenal, without showing the precision-guided missiles and much more.
His eminence reiterated that Hezbollah supports unifying the fronts against teh Zionst enemy, pointing out that Israelis must know that they can never violate the deterrence formulas maintained by the Resistance.
Sheikh Qassem indicated USA and ‘Israel’ acknowledge that Hezbollah Resistance has developed several classical weapons, including missiles and canons.
130 mm artillery developed by Hezbollah
Hezbollah Deputy Chief said that Resistance and Liberation Day is a national occasion, adding that those who exclude themselves from this pride are to be blamed.
Sheikh Qassem called for disregarding the remarks that oppose the path of resistance, adding that some of them had cooperated with the enemy during certain stages.
On the other hand, Sheikh Qassem pointed out that maintaining stability among Arab countries serve the Palestinian cause and the entire Ummah, adding that Hezbollah supports the Iranian-Saudi agreement.
His eminence noted that the Syrian President Bashar Assad has attended the Arab Summit with all his pro-resistance stances and after emerging victorious from a 13-year war.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General indicated that the presidential deadlock in Lebanon is caused by the stubbornness of some political parties, calling for resorting the constitutional norms in order to elect a new president.
Sheikh Qassem added that the Free Patriotic Movement and Lebanese Forces intend to have a joint nomination without having a joint project.
President Bashar Al-Assad delivered yesterday a concise but brutally important speech at the Arab League summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, most political analysts described it as the Syrian and Assad’s victory speech after 12 years of futile concerted US-led, NATO combined participation, Arab-contributed efforts to overthrow the Syrian government, divide Syria, control West Asia, and isolate Russia, China, and Iran from the rest of the world.
The following is the full speech of President Assad at the Arab League summit with English subtitles followed by the full transcript of the English translation of the speech:
Your Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Your Majesties, Sovereigns and Highnesses, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Where does one begin his speech when the dangers are no longer imminent, but realized? It begins with the hope that motivates achievement and action, and when ailments accumulate, the doctor can treat them individually, provided that he treats the underlying disease that causes them; therefore, we have to search for the major titles that threaten our future and produce our crises so we do not drown, and drown future generations in dealing with the results, not the causes.
Threats contain dangers and opportunities, and today we are facing the opportunity of the international situation change, which appears in a multipolar world as a result of the domination of the West devoid of principles, morals, friends and partners.
It is a historic opportunity to rearrange our affairs with the least amount of foreign interference, which requires repositioning us in this world that is being formed today in order for us to be an active part in it, investing in the positive atmosphere arising from the reconciliations that preceded the summit, leading to it today.
It is an opportunity to consolidate our culture in the face of the upcoming meltdown with modern liberalism that targets the innate affiliations of man and strips him of his morals and identity and to define our Arab identity with its civilizational dimension while it is falsely accused of ethnicity and chauvinism with the aim of making it in a state of conflict with the natural, national, ethnic and religious components, so it dies and our societies die with it in its struggle with itself and not with others.
The titles are too many for words, and summits are not enough (to handle), they do not begin with the crimes of the Zionist entity, rejected by the Arabs, against the resisting Palestinian people, and do not end with the danger of expansionist Ottoman thought grafted with a deviant fraternal (Muslim Brotherhood) flavor. They are not separated from the challenge of development as a top priority for our developing societies.
Here comes the role of the League of Arab States, being the natural platform for discussing and addressing various issues, provided that it develops its work system by reviewing the Charter and the rules of procedure and developing its mechanisms to keep pace with the times.
Joint Arab action needs common visions, strategies, and goals that we later turn into executive plans that need a unified policy, firm principles, and clear mechanisms and controls, then we will move from reaction to anticipation of events, and the (Arab) League will be a breathing outlet in the event of a siege, not an accomplice in it, a refuge from aggression not a platform for it.
As for the issues that concern us daily, from Libya to Syria, passing through Yemen and Sudan, and many other issues in different regions, we cannot treat diseases by treating symptoms, as all of these issues are the results of larger titles that have not been addressed previously.
As for talking about some of them, it needs to address the rifts that have arisen in the Arab arena over the past decade and to restore the League’s role as a healer of wounds, not as a deepener for them. The most important thing is to leave the internal issues to their people, as they are able to manage their affairs, and we only have to prevent external interference in their countries and help them exclusively upon request.
As for Syria, its past, present and future is Arabism, but it is an Arabism of belonging, not an Arabism of hugging, hugging is fleeting, but belonging is permanent. A person may move from one hugging to another for some reason, but it does not change his affiliation. As for the one who changes it, he is without affiliation in the first place, and whoever falls into the heart does not languish in the hugging, and Syria is the heart of Arabism and in its heart.
Ladies and Gentlemen, As we convene this summit in a turbulent world, hope rises in light of the Arab-Arab, regional and international rapprochement that culminated in this summit, which I hope will mark the beginning of a new phase of Arab action for solidarity among us, for peace in our region, for development and prosperity instead of war and destruction.
In keeping with the five minutes allotted for speaking, I would like to extend my deep thanks to the heads of delegations who have expressed their deep-rooted affection towards Syria and reciprocate them, I also thank the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (Saudi King) for the great role he played and the intense efforts he made to promote reconciliation in our region and for the success of this summit, I wish him and His Highness the Crown Prince and the brotherly Saudi people continued progress and prosperity, and peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you.
End of the transcript.
The Arab League had two important summits in the past 12 years, the first one was when the Qatari-led powerless US-dominated Arabs illegally expelled Syria from the League it was an establishing member 26 years before Qatar state came into existence, illegally because they failed to adhere to the League’s Charter to obtain a unanimous decision on expelling Syria; and the second was yesterday, May 19th, 2023, in which Syria restored the Arab League from the USA and its regional poodles.
During the past 12 years, the evil camp, the US-led camp of criminal regimes including the European Union countries, the Gulfies, and some Arab states, NATO other countries, especially Turkey, NATO proxy entities spearheaded by Israel have combined their efforts to overthrow the Syrian government, during this period, the evil camp prioritized killing Syrians and destroying the cradle of civilization over their own people’s wellbeing, health, infrastructure, and even basic needs.
Estimates of hundreds of billions of dollars / Euros, Riyals, and all other currencies were spent to destroy Syria, the least estimates arrive at half a trillion dollars, that’s 500 billion US dollars, a large portion of which was paid by the Gulfies with Saudi Arabia and Qatar alone spending 138 billion dollars between early 2011 and May 2017, former Qatari PM Hamad bin Jassim admitted that much on his own state official TV. The US taxpayers contributed the next large portion, and the European Union taxpayers contributed the rest.
Hundreds of thousands of terrorists were recruited from across the planet and were dumped into Syria from all its borders, the Syrian Arab Army alone managed to eliminate 125,000 of those between early March 2011 and September 2015 when the Russian air force joined the war against the world’s largest terrorist army and was effectively destroying their logistical supply routes and depots.
There’s still much to do to complete the victory, the expelling of the armies of NATO ‘defensive’ alliance, the Turkish and US armies, and their proxy terrorists, ISIS, al Qaeda, and the Kurdish SDF separatists being the top priority to restore Syria’s sovereignty. Then the battle to rebuild what the USA and its proxies destroyed.
The victory of Syria after all those years, all that wasted money and lives, all that mayhem and carnage, all that suffering, helped bring back the world’s balance from the hands of the few ruling the West. President Assad’s concise speech turned a page on 12 years of the main part of the final chapter of one of history’s most criminal empires, the USA and its Western cronies.
Arab countries approached Damascus in recent weeks to mend ties with Syria, which emerged victorious against the international war against it.
Syria’s President Bashar Al-Assad arrives in Jeddah, to attend the Arab League summit the following day, Saudi Arabia, May 18, 2023. (Reuters)
After over 12 years of the war launched on Syria, President Bashar al-Assad landed in Saudi Arabia to take part in the Arab League Summit, remaining true to his policies despite the international campaign targeting Damascus.
Al-Assad arrived in the coastal city of Jeddah on the Red Sea on Thursday evening to attend the annual Arab summit.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry welcomed the Syrian president in a significant post on its Twitter account, saying: “Welcome your Excellency President Bashar Al-Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, to participate in the Jeddah Summit.”
Riyadh re-established relations with Syria, and announced earlier this month the resumption of the work of its diplomatic mission in Damascus.
Arab leaders began to arrive in Jeddah on Thursday to participate in the assembly, but the leaders of Morocco, Algeria, Oman, the UAE, Kuwait and Sudan said they will not attend.
Two urgent crises are expected to be the center focus of the leaders’ agenda: the conflict that has been going on for a month now in Sudan, and the ongoing eight-year war in Yemen.
The Palestinian cause, developments in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the situation in Lebanon, particularly the presidential vacuum, and the situation of the Syrian and Palestinian refugees will be part of the summit’s scheduled issues.
In addition to the major challenges facing the Middle East, international issues will also be addressed, most notably the war in Ukraine, according to Khaled Manzalawi, Assistant Secretary-General for International Political Affairs at the Arab League.
“It must be emphasized that there will be an urgent need for consensus and collective solidarity… This is a very dangerous stage in the history of the world, which is witnessing the remapping of international relations,” Manzalawi said.
“The Arab consensus will achieve a unified Arab position that gives weight to the Arab action, and makes the Arab decision heard, not only at the regional level, but will go beyond that to the global scale as well.”
Qatar loses diplomatic weight with growth of Saudi influence
On the other hand, the Arab League’s welcome for the return of the Syrian president highlights the setback suffered by Qatar’s efforts to be a significant diplomatic voice in the Middle East, Reuters reported on Friday.
Qatar and the United States had earlier declared their opposition to restoring ties with Damascus, but Doha indicated that it would not be an “obstacle” to the step taken by the Arab countries.
Analysts see, according to Reuters, that Doha is toning down its position on Syria, which is an indication of a possible retreat from its once ambitious regional foreign policy, in an attempt not to anger its powerful neighbors.
Riyadh used its influence to push the member states of the Arab League to return Syria to the body, according to the head of Gulf State Analytics, Giorgio Cafiero.
“Qatar didn’t want to play any obstructive role that would have risked angering the leadership in Riyadh and other Arab capitals,” he added.
The Gulf state and the United States collaborated to form the international campaign on Damascus and enforce a change of leadership in Syria, said Joshua Landis, director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma.
Qatar’s Al Jazeera beat “the drums of regime change” by channeling videos of Syrian governmnent forces clashing with protestors, Landis added. Doha “understands full well that they’ve lost, but it wants to be the last country to normalize with Syria,” Landis concluded.
Doha’s main focus today is to establish good ties with neighboring countries, especially Saudi Arabia, a diplomat told the news site. “This makes them keen to avoid getting involved in regional confrontations and that is why they are less engaged in Yemen and Sudan than in former times.”
Qatar assumed that the war “was going to result in an overthrow” of the Syrian government, Mehran Kamrava, Professor of Government at Georgetown University Qatar, noted, adding that as Damascus emerged victorious from the war, “Saudi Arabia and the UAE shifted their policy most dramatically but Qatar has not.”
Al-Assad attends the summit in Jeddah
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The destruction of western warehouses, the withdrawal of the army 570 meters, and the threat to annex Aleppo to Turkey
Beyond its positive economic implications, the railway project connecting Iran, Iraq, and Syria will be a geopolitical game changer by connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf.
Sir Halford John Mackinder, one of Britain’s most prominent theorists in the field of geopolitics, discusses the significance of land connectivity between nations in his 1904 essay called The Geographical Pivot of History.
Besides introducing his notable Heartland Theory, Mackinder argued that advancements in transportation technology, such as the development of railways, have altered the balance of power in international politics by enabling a powerful state or group of states to expand its influence along transport routes.
The establishment of blocs, like the EU or BRICS, for instance, aims to enhance communication between member states. This objective has positive implications for the economy and helps reduce the risk of tensions among them.
The cost of such tensions has increased considerably, given the growing benefits and common interests achieved through strengthened ties between nations. Consequently, reinforcing connections within a specific region has a positive impact on the entire area.
Therefore, any infrastructure project between countries cannot be viewed solely from an economic standpoint; its geopolitical effects must also be highlighted.
West Asia connected by railway
In July 2018, Saeed Rasouli, head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (RAI), announced the country’s intention to construct a railway line connecting the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea, the Iran-Iraq-Syria railway link. This ambitious project would run from Basra in southern Iraq to Albu Kamal on the Iraqi-Syrian border and then extend to Deir Ezzor in northeastern Syria.
Undoubtedly, this project strengthens communication between the countries of West Asia and increases the need for other powers to collaborate with this important region, which is strategically located in parts of Mackinder’s “Heartland” and Nicholas Spykman’s “Rimland” of Eurasia.
Moreover, in accordance with Mackinder’s proposition, it can be argued that this railway project holds geopolitical significance for the three involved countries – Iran, Iraq, and Syria – and for West Asia as a whole.
The concept of a railway link between Iran and Iraq emerged over a decade ago. In 2011, Iran completed the 17-kilometer Khorramshahr-Shalamjah railway, which aimed to connect Iran’s railways to the city of Basra. Subsequently, in 2014, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Tehran and Baghdad to construct the Shalamjah-Basra line.
As per the agreement, Iran was responsible for designing and building a bridge over the Arvand River, while the Iraqi side pledged to construct a 32-kilometer railway line from the Shalamjah border to the Basra railway station within Iraqi territory.
Final destination: Syria
On 14 August, 2018, Iran announced its intention to further extend the railway from its territory to Syria, with Iraq’s participation. This move aimed to counter western sanctions and enhance economic cooperation.
The railway project would begin at the Imam Khomeini port on the Persian Gulf, located in Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province, to the Shalamjah crossing on the Iraqi border. From there, the railway traverses through the Iraqi province of Basra, crossing Albu Kamal on the Syrian border and ending at the Mediterranean port of Latakia.
Iranian official sources stated that this railway would contribute to Syria’s reconstruction efforts, bolster the transport sector, and facilitate religious tourism between Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Iran would bear the costs of the project within its own territory, while Iraq would contribute its share up to the Syrian border.
During the visit of former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Iraq in March 2019, a memorandum of understanding on the project was signed between Tehran and Baghdad. However, despite the agreements, the Iraqi side has faced economic challenges and a lack of funds, resulting in a delay in the construction of the railway.
Proposed railway links between Iran, Iraq, and Syria
Three Sections
The railway project can be divided into three sections: The first section links the Imam Khomeini Port to the Shalamjah crossing on the Iraqi border. According to the Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash, the railway line in Iran has been completed and has reached the zero border point.
The second section will link the Shalamjah Crossing to Basra in southern Iraq, then extend to Baghdad, Anbar province, and finally, the Syrian border. The financing of this section, according to the agreement, falls under the responsibility of the Iraqi government. The commencement of this phase is expected soon.
The third section, within Syria, encompasses two routes: The northern route extends between Iraq’s al-Qaim and Syria’s Albu Kamal, then heads west towards the Syrian port of Latakia. The southern route runs from the al-Qaim crossing on the Iraqi-Syrian border to Damascus via Homs.
It should be noted that although the shortest route to Damascus is through al-Tanf, due to the presence of the illegal US occupation forces there, the longer Homs-Damascus corridor was adopted. This also ensures the passage of railways through a greater number of Syrian cities.
Economic significance
Although the rail line between Iran and Iraq will only span 32 km and cost approximately $120 million, divided equally, its significance extends far beyond its length. It will serve as the sole railway connection between the two countries and play a crucial role in improving communication throughout the wider region by linking China’s Belt and Road Initative (BRI) lines to Iraq via Iran.
Once completed, the project will enable Iraq to easily connect to Iran’s extensive railway network, which extends to Iran’s eastern border. This linkage will open pathways for Baghdad to connect with Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Far East.
Moreover, in the future, the project positions Iraq as a transit route for trade between the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf region and Central Asia, as well as Russia. Incidentally, Iran and Russia have just inked an agreement to establish a railway connecting the Iranian cities of Astara with Rasht, as part of the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
The railway line also contributes to the promotion of religious tourism among the three countries, which are home to several important Shia shrines. In September 2022, more than 21 million people from around the world, including 3 million Iranians, visited Iraq for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage in the holy city of Karbala. This figure is likely to increase significantly with a rail link, leading to increased revenues for the Iraqi treasury.
Furthermore, the project serves as a means to bypass western sanctions and external pressures on the three countries, particularly Iran and Syria. It strengthens the independence of these nations and reduces the likelihood of foreign powers interfering in the economic relations of the project countries.
Obstaclesto project implementation
Despite the signed agreements, the Tehran-Baghdad-Damascus railway project has faced mixed reactions in Iraq, leading to a lack of enthusiasm for moving forward with the rail link. Only last month, the Ministry of Transport issued a clarification regarding its rail link with Iran, stressing that the project is related to “passenger transportation only.”
Iraqi politicians have expressed concerns that the rail link with Iran could hinder their country’s Dry Canal project, which aims to connect the port of Faw in Basra province to the Turkish and Syrian borders.
They believe that the Grand Faw Port is strategically positioned as the closest point for sea cargo to Europe, potentially bringing economic benefits and employment opportunities. These concerns arise from the fear that the Imam Khomeini port in Iran could gain increased importance, diminishing the significance of the Faw Port.
But Iraqi concerns actually present an opportunity to link Iran to the Dry Canal, enhancing the strategic importance of both projects and bolstering Iraq’s position as a regional trading hub. In the near future, communication and cooperation between these neighbors will be crucial in thwarting external efforts to impede the economic interdependence of the three countries.
A promising journey
The tripartite railway link project holds immense significance as it connects these countries within a larger network, resembling the historical Silk Road that facilitated trade between the east and the west for centuries.
The railway project has the ability to initiate a major transformation in West Asia if it materializes and expands further afield to countries like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Lebanon.
Their participation would not only reduce tensions among regional states but also yield positive economic outcomes and bolster tourism, particularly religious tourism, and foster stronger inter-regional ties.
By connecting key players in a geopolitically strategic region, the Tehran-Baghdad-Damascus rail link has the potential to lay the foundation for a new West Asian paradigm that promotes connectivity, stability, and prosperity.
As seen by the recent Iran-Saudi and Syria-Saudi rapprochement agreements, the region is in a collaborative mood, actively seeking economic development instead of conflict. With China and Russia – two powers at the forefront of Eurasia’s biggest interconnectivity projects (BRI and INSTC) – brokering and impacting many of these diplomatic initiatives, expect railways, roads, and waterways to begin linking countries that have been at odds for decades.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of The Cradle.
Despite American uproar, President Bashar al-Assad Thursday arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to take part in the 32nd round of the Arab League Summit. Saudi-Syrian rapprochement represents a new era in Middle Eastern politics and facilitates the rise of an international order based on mutual respect and economic cooperation.
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Syrian FM Faisal Al-Mikdad attending the Arab FMs meeting in Jeddah
The Arab foreign ministers convened in Jeddah on Wednesday in preparation for the Arab summit scheduled to be held next Friday in the same Saudi city with the participation of Syria.
Syria was represented at the meeting by a high-level delegation headed by the country’s Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, who confirmed that President Bashar Assad will attend Friday’s summit.
It is worth noting that the summit this year is characterized by Syria return to the Arab League after around a decade of suspension during the terrorist war on the Syrian people, army and state backed by some Arab regimes.
Arab FMs meeting in Jeddah
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf handed over the presidency to the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during the meeting.
“Our meeting is taking place today within special regional circumstance and rapid international developments that require continuing work to unite our word in order to overcome obstacles and challenges” Attaf, said.
Attaf stressed the need to intensify efforts to strengthen joint Arab action and neutralize the marginal tensions that divide our countries.
Attaf went on to say that Algeria welcomes the resumption of Syria’s participation in the Arab League meetings, which reflects positively on strengthening joint Arab action.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said ” I welcome Syria’s participation in our meeting today, adding that the world is going through challenges that require us to unite in facing them.
In turn, the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit said that “We welcome the resumption of Syria’s participation in the meetings of the League of Arab States, and we hope that its return represents the end of the crisis in it, adding that We must work as one bloc, and this is what gives weight to our positions and provides a protective umbrella for our region in light of international changes.
Aboul Gheit affirmed that Syria is a country that has a prominent civilizational contribution to the region throughout history. It is a founding country for the university, and we are all looking forward to strengthening its role and presence.
Lebanon-Syria Meeting
The Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib met on the sidelines of the preparatory meetings in Jeddah with his Syrian counterpart Al-Mikdad, reviewing the bilateral relations.
Mikdad added that “we touched upon the issue of the refugees in Lebanon and coordination between delegations of Syria and Lebanon in the field of the two countries concern,” asserting that “the atmospheres are good.”
Abdallah Bou Habib met with his Syrian counterpart Al-Mikdad
Al-Mikdad also met with his Saudi counterpart Al-Farhan, affirming that the bilateral ties will be improved upon the instructions of the two leaderships in Syria and KSA.
Hezbollah Secretary Generla His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah emphasized that the resistance in Gaza managed to abort the ‘Israeli’ enemy’s goal to restore its power of deterrence, and despite all field and political pressures, it didn’t weaken.
Sayyed Nasrallah made the remarks on Friday afternoon during the event held to commemorate the seventh martyrdom anniversary of resistance leader Sayyed Mustafa Badreddine [Zolfiqar].
“The resistance is steadfast, and it refuses to end the battle without certain conditions. What happened until this day makes the enemy understand very well that any future assassination of any resistance fighter or leader in the Gaza Strip shall not pass, but would rather lead to a widescale confrontation,” the resistance leader underlined.
Terming the battle of Gaza as an important one, Sayyed Nasrallah said its impact are not limited with the strip alone, but with the region as a whole.
His Eminence went on to say that Hezbollah is in continuous communication with the resistance command in Gaza, voicing the Lebanese resistance group’s readiness to offer support at any time the responsibility requires this.
At the beginning of his speech, Sayyed Nasrallah condoled with and congratulated the Palestinian people and resistance factions, especially the Al-Quds Brigades, on the martyrdom of the leaders who were assassinated in the ‘Israeli’ strikes on Gaza.
Sayyed Nasrallah also condoled with the martyrdom of Palestinian detainee Sheikh Khader Adnan.
Referring to the occasion, the Hezbollah leader praised Sayyed Zolfiqar who achieved the medal of the fighter, the medal of the wounded in the Battle of Khalde against the ‘Israeli’ enemy, the medal of detention, the medal of leadership, and lastly the medal of martyrdom, which he described as the most sublime of them all.
“Sayyed Zolfiqar was deep in understanding, insightful, of a strategic mentality, which are the characteristics of many of our leaders,” His Eminence added.
Commenting on the current regional developments, Sayyed Nasrallah underlined that Lebanon is often affected by the unfolding incidents and developments, advising that realities must be approached honestly.
“Those who believed that ‘Israel’ was to remain in Lebanon and that Lebanon has entered the ‘Israeli’ era found out that they were wrong, and all of their bets and culture collapsed as they were built upon miscalculations,” His Eminence said.
To begin with Gaza, Sayyed Nasrallah explained that Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began the current aggression by assassinating the brothers in the Al-Quds Brigades in the besieged strip, along with a number of women and children. He then lamented the international silence this regard, slamming the US that banned the UNSC from condemning ‘Israel’ for killing Gaza women and children.
“Netanyahu has many motifs behind this aggression, which include restoring and rebuilding his deterrence, fleeing the internal crisis, dealing with the division in his government, and improving his political and electoral situation,” the Hezbollah leader analyzed, underscoring that all of Netanyahu’s calculations have failed as he decided to attack the Islamic Jihad and spare all other factions, and create chaos within the resistance environment.
“The occupation sought to strike the Al-Quds Brigades’ command and destroy its rocketry power by dismantling its direct commanders,” the resistance leader noted, stating, however, that the Islamic Jihad command was wise and calm after the assassination of its military leaders, and the Al-Quds Brigades contacted the Qassam Brigades to have a united stance regarding the developments.
“The enemy was waiting a reaction from the Islamic Jihad, and when the resistance factions dealt with the issue calmly, the enemy was confused. The wisdom in directing the battle makes the enemy lose the chance to achieve its goals,” Sayyed Nasrallah explained.
His Eminence went on to list the strengths of the resistance movements in Palestine and the region, praising that they are highly capable of rebuilding their leadership rapidly. “Despite assassinating its leaders, the resistance movements didn’t weaken, and its capabilities were not harmed; the shed blood was rather giving a push forward.”
Sayyed Nasrallah further noted that the quick rebuilding of the Al-Quds Brigades leadership surprised the occupation, which was confused by missiles reaching ‘Tel Aviv’ and Al-Quds.
“The resistance in Gaza failed the enemy’s goal of restoring its deterrence; and despite the field and political pressure, the Palestinian resistance didn’t weaken,” the Hezbollah leader underlined, stressing that today’s battle is the one of protecting and guaranteeing the Palestinian people’s security, and that what has happened so far makes the enemy understand well that any assassination shall not pass and will lead to a wide-scale confrontation.
“Netanyahu cannot lie and tell the ‘Israeli’ enemy that he restored the deterrence; and the battle of Gaza is very important and its impacts are not limited with the strip but with the entire region,” Sayyed Nasrallah said ahead of reiterating that Hezbollah is in continuous contact with the resistance leadership is Gaza, and voiced Hezbollah’s readiness to support the Palestinian at any time.
“We won’t hesitate to offer help at any time we have to,” the Lebanese resistance leader said.
Moving to the Syrian issue, Sayyed Nasrallah termed Syria’s return to the Arab League and inviting President Assad to the Arab summit as a very important indicator.
“Syria remained in its position, it didn’t shift its stance or its axis,” Sayyed Nasrallah said, adding that the Iranian President’s visit to Syria emphasizes the Iranian-Syrian strategic relations on different levels.
“Syria today is strongly present in the Turkish elections where the candidates are competing to offer their visions regarding Damascus.”
The Hezbollah chief then voiced support for every positive development regarding Syria: “We see in every recovery and progress in Syria the faces of our martyrs and their sacrifices, and our loneliness when the world was criticizing our choice in supporting Syria.”
Sayyed Nasrallah slammed the US looting of the Syrian oil and gas and its insistence on besieging the country through the Caesar Act.
“All the positive developments in Syria happened thanks to the steadfastness of its leadership, people, and army; Syria is heading to ease and the difficult days won’t return,” His Eminence said.
On the local level, Sayyed Nasrallah asked the caretaker government to restore Lebanon’s ties with Syria, stressing that had Hezbollah been the side making decisions in the country, ties with Syria would have been restored ages ago as they serve Lebanon’s interests.
“The issue of the refugees won’t be solved through incitation and on social media platforms, but rather through a ministerial and security delegation that visits Damascus and coordinates to deal with the crisis,” Sayyed Nasrallah said, underlining that a sovereign decision in coordination with the Syrian state is a main condition to deal with the Syrian refugees’ crisis.
Additionally, Sayyed Nasrallah reiterated that Hezbollah doesn’t prevent anybody from returning to the Syrian border villages, refuting the entire propaganda as mere lies, and emphasizing that Hezbollah was the most interested side in returning the people of Al-Qusayr and other villages to their houses.
Besides, the Hezbollah chief contested all news about any link of drug smugglers in Syria with Hezbollah. “All of this is unjust, and hadn’t it been for Hezbollah’s support, the Lebanese authorities wouldn’t have been able to confront several drug dealers in Lebanon.”
Also in his proof, Sayyed Nasrallah insisted that “Our religious and jihadi stance rejects seeking the help of drug smugglers to transfer the arms of resistance to Palestine,” urging the Lebanese state to expose the names of the drug traders and dealers in which people would learn to whom they belong.
On the presidential level, Sayyed Nasrallah reiterated that ex-minister Suleiman Franjieh is Hezbollah’s regular and serious candidate, making clear that Hezbollah doesn’t impose any candidate, and urging everybody to name their candidates so we can go for election in the parliament.
“The Lebanese caretaker government must resume its work despite all difficulties; and we hope that the parliament operates normally and this doesn’t affect the necessity of electing a president,” His Eminence also said.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Sayyed Nasrallah opposed the government’s appointment of a new governor for the Central Bank of Lebanon, as well as extending the mandate of the current governor.
At the end of his speech, the Hezbollah leader said “We, the Lebanese people, must take advantage of the positive atmosphere in the region,” stressing that “on the Arab level, there are no permanent hostilities.”
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