Post-Assad Syria: Villages disarm in Homs
Shafaq News/ Residents of three villages in Syria's Homs province have fully surrendered their weapons to the state, authorities said on Monday.
According to the Homs province channel on Telegram, locals from al-Jamiliyya, al-Mazhariyya, and al-Aour in southeastern rural Homs 'completely handed over their weapons to the Syrian state' as part of coordinated efforts with the government.
This follows efforts by the new Syrian administration to 'stabilize the country' following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. Since then, authorities have opened reconciliation centers to disarm loyalists of the former regime, though some have resisted, triggering clashes in multiple provinces.
Officials say they are also pursuing remnants of the deposed government accused of destabilizing areas under state control. On December 8, 2024, Syrian factions captured Damascus after securing other major cities, ending 61 years of Baath Party rule and more than five decades of al-Assad family dominance.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
EU pushes Iran on nuclear "justification"
Shafaq News/ On Friday, Iran defended its nuclear and missile programmes as legitimate and non-negotiable, countering European concerns over escalating regional tensions and the potential for broader conflict. Following a round of talks in Geneva, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the European Union issued a joint statement urging both Iran and Israel to refrain from actions that could further destabilise the region. 'We reaffirm longstanding concerns over the expansion of Iran's nuclear programme,' the statement read, emphasising that it 'has no credible civilian justification.' Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded by underscoring that the nuclear programme remains peaceful and continues to operate under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. 'Our programme remains peaceful and under IAEA supervision,' he affirmed, adding that Tehran will continue to exercise what it views as its legitimate right to self-defence. He also rejected any prospect of talks on Iran's missile capabilities, calling the matter closed and non-negotiable. Shifting to wider regional developments, the minister linked any potential for future dialogue to conditions on the ground, pointing to ongoing Israeli military operations. Additionally, he stressed that Iran would not consider re-entering negotiations while these operations persist, urging Israel to end what he described as 'aggression and criminal acts.'
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Israel pledges to destroy Iran's nuclear threat
Shafaq News/ On Friday, Israel reaffirmed its commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, further warning of Tehran's expanding missile stockpile. Speaking at the Weizmann Institute—struck by Iranian missiles earlier this week—Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the Iranian government as a threat to regional stability. He also claimed that Iran possesses 28,000 missiles, underscoring the urgency of dismantling its nuclear program. 'Our goal is to destroy Iran's nuclear program, and we have the capabilities to do so,' he added. Netanyahu praised US President Donald Trump, calling him 'a great leader' and expressing his appreciation for what he described as 'strong and consistent support.' In turn, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar warned that hesitation would have enabled Iran to advance its nuclear ambitions. 'We will not stop until we achieve our objectives,' he stated, noting that the current costs remain significantly lower than what Israel would incur if Iran succeeded in developing a nuclear weapon. Sa'ar also criticized the diplomatic track, arguing that Tehran had not engaged in good faith and that Israel had already allowed space for US-led negotiations. These remarks come amid growing regional backlash over Israel's Operation Rising Lion, a series of strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites. The attacks killed several senior commanders from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as well as nuclear scientists, drawing widespread condemnation across the region. Iran responded with True Promise 3, launching so far 17 waves of drones and missiles in what it described as the largest direct strike on Israeli territory to date.
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Israeli strikes hit Isfahan and Shiraz
Shafaq News/ Israeli airstrikes targeted the Iranian cities of Isfahan and Shiraz on Friday evening, prompting the activation of air defense systems, Iranian media reported. There were no immediate reports of casualties, and Iranian authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the extent of the damage. Notably, Isfahan has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli strikes, especially near its nuclear facility. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi confirmed that four buildings at the facility sustained damage as a result of the attacks. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz instructed earlier the military to escalate its operations inside Iran, ordering 'heavy' strikes on sites deemed essential to the stability of the country's leadership. In a directive, Katz also called for targeting symbols of state authority in Tehran, alongside continued assaults on nuclear-related infrastructure and personnel. In turn, Iran's Defence Ministry confirmed its forces remain ready for sustained combat. A source within the ministry, quoted by Iran's Fars News Agency, pointed to a strategic framework guiding current preparations, noting that production and supply lines are functioning at full capacity to support military needs.
