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Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Syria maintains neutrality as Iran-Israel conflict escalates over its skies
For days, Syrians have watched as Iranian missiles and Israeli interceptors light up the skies over their territory, but the new government in Damascus has so far remained officially silent on the unprecedented conflict. Iran was one of former ruler Bashar al-Assad's biggest backers, playing a crucial role in propping up his government by providing military advisers and the support of affiliated armed groups throughout the 14-year Syrian civil war. Israel, meanwhile, has occupied the Golan Heights since seizing it from Syria in 1967, and has kept troops in a UN-patrolled buffer zone there since December, when the fall of al-Assad at the hands of a coalition sparked a wave of Israeli air strikes on military targets. But despite both countries looming large in Syrian affairs over the years, Damascus -- and everyday Syrians -- appear eager to keep the current crisis at arm's length. 'From my balcony at night, I watch the missiles going towards Israel and the anti-missile systems, and I observe the explosions in the sky,' said surgeon Mohammed Khayr al-Jirudi. 'The people are fed up with everything related to killing and destruction, we've had enough. Therefore, we are currently in the position of spectators to both sides, and will not gloat over either of them.' On Friday, Israel launched an unprecedented campaign against Iran, saying it aimed to stop the country from obtaining the nuclear bomb -- an ambition Tehran denies. Iran has responded with barrages of ballistic missiles targeting Israeli cities, with the exchanges of fire sparking fears of regional spillover. Unlike most Arab countries, which issued strong condemnations of Israel's strikes, Syria's new government has not commented on the war, potentially signaling a shift in the country's regional posture. 'It is very difficult for us to take a stand,' Jirudi said, with many war-weary Syrians seeming to share the government's reluctance. 'Both dictatorial systems' Sitting with his wife in Damascus' famous Rawda cafe, 42-year-old actor Ahmad Malas said he hoped to 'be rid of both the Iranian and Israeli regimes, as they are both dictatorial systems (and) Syrian people have been paying the price for their actions.' However, he added, 'I have an emotional connection with the Iranian people, and with the Palestinian people, as their cause has been ours for a long time.' Iran's support for al-Assad following his violent repression of peaceful protests in 2011 created strong animosity towards Tehran among many Syrians. Thousands of Iranians left Syria after the fall of al-Assad, and Tehran's embassy was subjected to looting and vandalism. The walls surrounding the embassy in Damascus still bear the spray-painted slogans 'curse Iran' and 'free Iran.' Since becoming Syria's interim president, former leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has repeatedly criticized Iran's role in his country during the civil war, stating that restoring relations with Tehran will require respect for Syria's 'sovereignty' and 'non-interference' in its affairs. Iran has said it is 'not in a hurry' to establish ties with the new Syrian authorities. Israel has conducted hundreds of strikes on Syria since al-Assad's fall, saying it aimed to stop advanced weapons from reaching the new rulers, whom it considers extremists. Israeli troops in the UN-patrolled buffer zone between Syria and the Golan Heights have also regularly carried out ground incursions, condemned by Damascus. Syria admitted to holding indirect talks with Israel seeking de-escalation, and the United States has called for it to normalize ties with its southern neighbor. 'Neutrality' Amid the breaches of Syria's airspace, at least one civilian has been killed and several others injured by fallen debris from intercepted projectiles. The Syrian foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment on the war. 'Damascus adheres to a policy of neutrality... It tries to completely distance itself from the war and any mention of it, because Syria has no interest in getting involved,' said Bassam al-Suleiman, a political analyst close to the new authorities. As the government tries to kickstart post-war economic recovery and reconstruction, Syria's primary battle is 'internal,' according to Suleiman. He added that while 'both Israel and Iran are a source of danger, we have no stake in this war,' which he said Syria should 'avoid.' From a rooftop nightclub overlooking Damascus, a 27-year-old doctor who gave her name as Sarah watched the flash of missiles in the sky. 'We try to forget the atmosphere of war by spending time here with friends,' she said. 'However, I still fear that some effects of the war will reach us.'
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Israeli military eases restrictions in some parts of country
The Israeli military said public safety guidelines that have mandated school closures, among other restrictions, would ease in some areas from 6pm on Wednesday. Parts of the Israeli occupied-Golan Heights and West Bank, in addition to Israeli communities near Gaza and in Eilat in Israel's south would be changed from "essential activity" to "limited activity" or "partial activity". The changes would be in effect until 8pm on June 20, the military said.
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Israeli military eases some safety restrictions
The Israeli military said public safety guidelines that have mandated school closures, among other restrictions, would ease in some areas from 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Parts of the Israeli occupied-Golan Heights and West Bank, in addition to Israeli communities near Gaza and in Eilat in Israel's south would be changed from 'essential activity' to 'limited activity' or 'partial activity.' The changes would be in effect until 8:00 p.m. on June 20, the military said. Developing
Sky News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Israel-Iran live: Israel will be punished for 'huge mistake', Iran's supreme leader warns
Send us your questions on the Israel-Iran conflict Security and defence analyst Michael Clarke and international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn will be answering your questions on the Israel-Iran conflict in a live Q&A this afternoon. Submit yours in the box at the top of the page. Iran's supreme leader: Israel made a huge mistake Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is giving remarks now, according to Iranian media. The country's supreme leader has just said Israel has made a "huge mistake", promising they will be "punished". He added people will not forget the blood of "martyrs" and the attack on their territory. Mehr News Agency reported he "praised the steadfast, courageous, and timely behaviour of the Iranian nation". He also warned "any US military intervention will undoubtedly cause irreparable damage", hitting out at "threatening and ridiculous statements" made by Donald Trump. The US should know Iran will not surrender, he added. It comes after Trump called for an "unconditional surrender" and reports he is considering a strike on Iran. Israeli drone shot down - as Iranian attack intercepted An Israeli drone has been shot down in Iran, the Israeli Defence Forces has said. No injuries were reported after it was blown out the sky by a surface-to-air missile, the force added. Meanwhile, seven drones launched towards Israel from Iran were shot down in the occupied Golan Heights area this morning, according to the IDF. Our Middle East correspondent Ali Bunkall explained earlier that the night had seen less fighting than before - see our 8.56 post. Despite this, tit-for-tat strikes have continued. Watch: What could US involvement look like and why are Iran's attacks faltering? As speculation grows about a possible US strike on Iran, Military analyst Michael Clarke explains what US intervention in Israeli attacks could look like and why Iran's attacks seem to be faltering... Centrifuge sites in Iran hit, nuclear watchdog says We brought you news earlier on Israeli claims it had struck centrifuge sites in Iran overnight - see our 5.55 post. Centrifuges are machines that can be used to enrich uranium. Enriched uranium can be used as fuel for nuclear plants, and for nuclear bombs. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that two such sites in Iran were hit. These are the TESA Karaj workshop, just west of Tehran, and the Tehran Research Centre, in the capital. The IAEA added: "At the Tehran site, one building was hit where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested. "At Karaj, two buildings were destroyed where different centrifuge components were manufactured." It seemingly continues Israel's efforts to cripple Iran's nuclear infrastructure. But as we've explained in our 8.26 post, if Israel wants to go all the way it'll likely need US help. Iran's supreme leader giving speech shortly A televised message by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is expected to be broadcast shortly, according to state media. We'll bring you text updates here, as he speaks in his first public appearance since shortly after Israel's attack on Iran last Friday. Iran envoy: 'Israeli attacks are war against humanity' We brought you some quotes earlier from Ali Bahreini, Iran's ambassador to the UN, who has been speaking to reporters. He echoed lines from Iran's foreign minister, promising retaliation to any attacks on the country. "We will not show any reluctance in defending our people, security and land. We will respond seriously and strongly, without restraint," Bahreini said. He also warned Israeli attacks on Iran's nuclear structures risked a "possible hazardous leak". "This is not an act of war against our country, it is war against humanity," he said. Watch: The options for Trump as he ponders his next step To completely destroy Iran's nuclear programme, Israel would need to take out Fordow, the best protected facility. Israel would likely need huge "bunker buster" bombs, so would the US actually provide these devastating weapons? There is also a diplomatic option - so how does Donald Trump come to a decision here? Our international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn breaks it down... Family members of British embassy staff withdrawn from Israel Family members of British staff at the embassy in Tel Aviv and the consulate in Jerusalem have been temporarily withdrawn. The embassy and consulate will continue its work, but it reflects moves taken by other embassies as fighting remains ongoing. The US has shut its embassy in Jerusalem until at least Friday, according to its state department. Oil prices rise again as Trump weighs up US military involvement in Middle East By James Sillars, business and economics reporter Oil prices have been bubbling upwards again due to developments in the Israel-Iran conflict. The cost of a barrel of Brent crude ticked up near to $77 - a 4% rise - late yesterday after it became known that Donald Trump was considering US military involvement. He has since urged Iran to accept an "unconditional surrender". Brent has slipped back slightly, but the market remains glued to events. UK natural gas costs are matching the upwards trend with LSEG data for day-ahead delivery contracts currently 16% up on levels seen earlier this month. If sustained, it doesn't bode well for the next energy price cap review and bills from October - but it's early days. More widely on the financial markets, the FTSE 100 has risen 0.1% at the open to 8,844 following yesterday's decline of almost 0.5%. The rally, if you can call it that, is quite broad-based. The pound is being supported by a weakening dollar ahead of the US interest rate decision this evening. No change is widely anticipated. Trump is demanding a cut. There could be fireworks... 'A tornado passes over Tehran': Israeli defence minister warns of the end for Iran leaders Israel's defence minister has warned of the end for leaders in Iran, and warned "a tornado passes over Tehran". Defence minister Israel Katz posted on social media, suggesting the regime in Tehran was coming to its end. He said: "Symbols of government are being bombed and destroyed... this is how dictatorships collapse." For context: Israel initially said it began attacking Iran on Friday over concerns of its nuclear programme. But there have been more and more voices from the top of Israel's government that have increasingly signalled they want a regime change in Iran.
Sky News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
UK advises against all travel to Israel
The government is warning people not to travel to Israel under any circumstances, as the country's missile exchange with Iran shows no sign of abating. On Friday, the Foreign Office warned against "all but essential travel" to most of Israel. The areas around Gaza, the West Bank and the Golan Heights were already classed as red zones, with warnings to avoid travel to these areas. But the government has now updated the warning for the remainder of the country to red. This puts Israel on the same level as Iran, and the change of advice is also likely to impact travel insurance. However, with Israel's airspace closed, it is unlikely many people will be attempting the journey, and Israel's national airline El Al has announced it is cancelling flights to and from many European cities, as well as Tokyo and Moscow, until 23 June. The change in travel advice comes after a second night of ballistic missile barrages from Iran following Israel's attack in the early hours of Friday morning. 1:43 On Sunday morning, Israel's health ministry said 12 people had been killed over the past day, taking the total since Friday to 15. It also said 385 people had arrived at hospital with injuries overnight. Iran has not provided a total number of deaths or overall casualties, but has claimed dozens have been killed. Iran's health minister has said most of those injured and killed in Israeli strikes were civilians. According to comments carried by news agency IRNA, he said the majority were women and children. 18:00 What is the UK doing? The UK government is sending military assets, including fighter jets, to the Middle East. While the prime minister would not confirm to reporters that UK forces could be used to defend Israel from future Iranian attacks, the chancellor told Sky News earlier that the government is "not ruling anything out". Speaking to Sky's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Rachel Reeves said sending military assets to the Middle East "does not mean that we are at war", and emphasised that "we have not been involved in these strikes or this conflict". "But we do have important assets in the region," she continued. "And it is right that we send jets to protect them. And that's what we've done. It's a precautionary move, and at the same time, we are urging de-escalation." Pushed on the question of what the UK would do if Israel asked for support with its operations, the chancellor replied: "I'm not going to rule anything out at this stage. It's a fast-moving situation, a very volatile situation. But we don't want to see escalation."
