HTS in Syria says to recognize Israel by end of 2026
“The move by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani is aimed at attracting substantial Western financial support and the lifting of sanctions on Syria,” said Craig Murray, a former British diplomat.
“I asked whether the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Syria was part of the deal, and surprisingly, this was not raised by either side. The UK regards it as a bilateral matter between Syria and Israel, and al-Jolani does not appear to prioritize Israeli withdrawal.”
According to the former British civil servant, the European Union’s External Action Service (EEAS) and Directorate General for International Partnerships decided that al-Jolani’s Syrian cabinet of ministers does meet the promises he gave to the EU Pledging Conference in Brussels on 17 March regarding the formation of an inclusive government, specifically including Alawite and Christian communities and also female ministers.
However, al-Jolani”s “inclusive” cabinet consists of 24 ministers, of which 21 are his close associates who are designated to manage all the key posts, including finance, interior, defense, and foreign affairs. There are three minority representatives, all in minor ministries.
There is just one woman, who is a Canadian Christian, as well as one Kurd, one Alawite, and one Druze.
The conference pledged 5.5 million euros to Syria in grants and loans, half of it from the EU itself.
“Al-Jolani has the support of both MI6 and UK special forces within Syria,” Murray assessed, adding that the game is for al-Jolani and his pro-Zionist regime, installed with Western backing, to strengthen its paid forces until the time comes for a night of the long knives, where al-Jolani’s own most fanatical supporters will be eliminated.
MNA/PressTV
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US to reduce number of troops in Syria by half
The US military is set to consolidate its presence in Syria over the coming weeks and months, two US officials told Reuters on Tuesday, in a move that could reduce the number of troops it has in the country by half.
The US military has about 2,000 US troops in Syria across a number of bases, mostly in the northeast.
One of the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that consolidation could reduce the number of troops in Syria to about 1,000.
Another US official confirmed the plan for a reduction, but said there was no certainty on numbers.
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Iranian champion named Saudi Arabia”s wrestling team coach
Komeil Ghasemi, a former world and Olympic champion in the heavyweight category of freestyle wrestling, has officially accepted the role of head coach of Saudi Arabia’s national freestyle wrestling team.
This marks the first time in history that an Iranian coach has been appointed to lead a national team of athletes from Saudi Arabia.
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