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Tag: Syria

  • Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Reportedly Sentenced to Death in Absentia

    Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Reportedly Sentenced to Death in Absentia

    Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly been sentenced to death in absentia, marking a major development in the legal proceedings surrounding allegations of serious crimes committed during Syria’s long-running conflict.

    The reported ruling comes after years of investigations into alleged abuses committed during Assad’s rule, including accusations linked to attacks on civilians, torture, and other violations of international and domestic law.

    Because the sentence was issued in absentia, Assad was not present in court to defend himself. The development therefore raises questions about how the ruling could be enforced, particularly given that Assad is outside Syria.

    Assad ruled Syria for nearly 25 years before being removed from power following the collapse of his government in December 2024. His administration was accused by international investigators and human rights organizations of widespread abuses during the Syrian civil war.

    The legal action is part of broader efforts to hold senior figures from Syria’s former government accountable for alleged crimes committed during the conflict. Victims and rights groups have long called for prosecutions and accountability for those accused of abuses.

    The reported death sentence is expected to draw significant international attention, particularly because of the challenges surrounding Assad’s location and the possibility of extradition or other legal measures.

    Legal experts say an in-absentia conviction can carry significant political and symbolic importance, but enforcing such a sentence depends heavily on jurisdiction, custody of the convicted individual, and applicable international legal arrangements.

    The case is likely to remain closely watched as Syria continues its political transition and efforts to address the legacy of years of conflict and alleged human rights violations.

    Swifteradio.com

  • Explosions Rock Damascus, Injuring 18 as French President Emmanuel Macron Visits Syria

    Explosions Rock Damascus, Injuring 18 as French President Emmanuel Macron Visits Syria

    At least 18 people were injured after a series of explosions struck Damascus during a visit by Emmanuel Macron, raising fresh security concerns as the French leader held meetings in the Syrian capital.

    According to Syrian authorities, the blasts occurred in different parts of Damascus, causing injuries to civilians and damaging nearby buildings and vehicles. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the affected locations to treat the wounded and secure the area.

    Officials confirmed that President Macron was not harmed during the incident, and his official programme continued under heightened security measures.

    The explosions took place while Macron was in Syria for talks focused on regional stability, humanitarian assistance, reconstruction efforts, and diplomatic engagement following years of conflict.

    Syrian security forces immediately launched investigations into the cause of the explosions, while authorities increased security across the capital and around key government buildings.

    Although no group immediately claimed responsibility, the incident has intensified concerns about ongoing security challenges despite efforts to restore stability in parts of the country.

    The French President’s visit marks a significant diplomatic engagement, with discussions expected to cover regional peace initiatives, counterterrorism cooperation, and international support for Syria’s recovery.

    French officials condemned the violence and reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing diplomatic solutions aimed at promoting long-term peace and stability in the region.

    Security analysts noted that attacks during high-profile international visits are rare but can have significant political and diplomatic implications.

    The explosions also highlight the continuing fragility of Syria’s security environment after years of armed conflict that have left much of the country’s infrastructure and institutions severely weakened.

    Medical personnel confirmed that all injured victims were transported to nearby hospitals, with several receiving treatment for injuries caused by flying debris and blast impacts.

    Authorities continue examining evidence from the blast sites as investigators work to determine who was responsible and whether additional threats remain.

    The incident is expected to feature prominently in ongoing discussions between Syrian officials and international partners regarding national security and regional cooperation.

    As investigations continue, Damascus remains under increased security while officials monitor the situation and assess the broader implications of the attack.

    Swifteradio.com

  • 16 Killed In Israeli Strikes On Syria Military Sites

    More than 16 people were killed in Israeli air strikes on several military facilities in central Syria, the official Syrian news agency reports. 

    Sana quoted a health official as saying  another 36 people were injured in the attacks near Masyaf in Hama province on Sunday evening.

    A UK-based monitoring group said 25 people were killed and that the five targets included a scientific research center suspected of being linked to chemical weapons production.

    The Israeli military declined comments on foreign media reports of the attacks, which the Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned as “blatant aggression” and the Iranian Foreign Ministry called it a “criminal attack”.  

    However, Israel has previously admitted to carrying out hundreds of attacks in recent years against targets in Syria that it says are linked to Iran – Israel’s main enemy – and allied armed groups.

    Israeli attacks have intensified since the Gaza war began in October last year in response to cross-border attacks against northern Israel by Hezbollah and other groups in Lebanon and Syria. 

    According to Sana, citing a Syrian military source, Israeli jets flying over northwestern Lebanon fired missiles at “a number of military sites in the central region” around 11:20 pm (20:20 GMT) on Sunday.

    “Our air defense shot down some missiles,” added the military source.

    The news agency said the attacks also damaged the Masyaf-Wadi al-Oyoun highway and a fire broke out in the Hair Abbas forest area. 

    The health director of Hama province said 16 people were killed and six of the 36 injured were in  critical condition. 

    State television channel Al-Ikhbariya al-Suriyah  also broadcast footage showing a damaged building in the port city of Tartous, west of Masyaf. 

    The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) – a monitoring group based in the UK with a network of sources on the ground – said Israeli strikes destroyed buildings and military installations in the “Masyaf Scientific Research Area “, in  Masyaf-Wadi al-Oyoun highway and in Hair Abbas.

    It said at least 25 people were killed, including five civilians, four members of the Syrian government forces and 13 Syrians working for pro-Iranian groups. Three other bodies have not been identified, it added.

    The SOHR said Iranian Revolutionary Guard officers have been deployed at the scientific research site for six years in the program to develop short- and medium-range precision missiles and drones. 

    The Reuters news agency also quoted two regional intelligence sources as saying that a major military research center for the production of chemical weapons was hit severally.

    Western intelligence agencies have previosly claimed that a branch of the Scientific  and Research Center (SSRC) near Masyaf was being used to produce chemical weapons in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

    The Syrian government has denied the allegation. However, the facility is said to have been the target of a suspected Israeli attack in September 2017, a day after a deadly chemical attack on a rebel-held town in northern Syria that the UN and Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons accused the Syrian Air Force of being responsible for the attack.

    According to the SOHR, Israeli airstrikes and artillery have targeted Syrian territory 64 times since the beginning of the year, resulting in the destruction or damage of approximately 140 targets, including weapons depots, vehicles and the headquarters of Iranian-backed militias.

    The attacks killed at least 205 fighters — including 46 members of Syrian government forces, 40 members of Hezbollah and 24 Iranian Revolutionary Guards — as well as 25 civilians, according to the monitoring organization. 

    In April, Israel was accused by Iran of carrying out an air strike on a consulate in Damascus that killed two senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guard.

    Iran retaliated by carrying out its first direct military attack against Israel. It launched 300 missiles and drones, but almost all of them were shot down by Israeli and US-led forces.

    Source: BBC News