Syria Archives - Defence Monitor

12 Jan

Syria witnesses escalation of IS attacks since new year

Damascus, Jan 12, Syria began the new year by witnessing a "significant escalation" of attacks by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, a war monitor said. In a fresh report, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said of the 26 attacks carried out by the IS, 11 targeted the strongholds of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), leading to the deaths of four SDF fighters and the injuries of six others, reports Xinhua news agency. Moreover, the terrorist group carried out 15 additional attacks and ambushes against Syrian military personnel in various regions, including the west of the Euphrates, the desert…

22 Aug

Wagner chief seen in 1st video address after failed rebellion

Moscow, Aug 22, For the first time since the Wagner mercenaries' failed rebellion against the Russian military in June, the group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin appeared in a video address, suggesting that he was currently in Africa, the media reported on Tuesday. Although the video posted on Telegram channels linked to the mercenary group is yet to be officially verified, it shows Prigozhin in combat gear, saying the group is making Africa "more free", reports the BBC. In the video, he says Wagner is exploring for minerals as well as fighting Islamist militants and other criminals. "We are working. The temperature…

03 Jul

Israel strikes military sites, air defence battery in Syria in overnight clash

Damascus/Jerusalem, July 3, Israel launched a missile strike on military sites in Syria's central province of Homs, causing material damage, the Syrian Army said in a statement. According to the statement on Sunday, the missiles triggered the Syrian air defences, which intercepted some of the missiles. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said the attack targeted weapon depots of the Iranian-backed militias, Xinhua news agency reported. After the attack, Syria launched an anti-aircraft missile into Israeli territory, which exploded in midair and caused no injuries, the Israeli military said in a statement on Sunday. In response to the…

17 Jun

Norway to provide $161mn support to Syria, region

Oslo, June 17 (IANS) Norway will provide $161 million in support to assist those affected by the multiple crises, earthquakes and the steep rise in food prices in Syria and its neighbouring countries, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt announced. "More than 15 million Syrians were in urgent need of humanitarian assistance already before the earthquake hit in February. Now, as a result of the earthquake, that number has risen still higher," Xinhua news agency. Huitfeldt emphasized Norway's commitment to shifting its assistance focus toward an early recovery approach, recognising its importance in strengthening critical services and facilities necessary for the…

12 Jun

Civilian killed by US forces in Syria: Media

Damascus, June 12 (IANS) A civilian was killed and several others were wounded by the US forces in the northeastern Syrian province of al-Hasakah, state media reported. The incident happened when the US military airdropped forces in a village in the southern countryside of al-Hasakah near the Syrian-Iraqi border, Xinhua news agency reported. After encircling the village of Salham, the US forces opened fire on residential homes and agricultural lands, Syria's state news agency SANA reported on Sunday. It added that the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a US-backed militia that controls key areas in al-Hasakah, assisted the US forces' airdrop.…

11 May

Iran ready to strengthen Syria’s military sector

Tehran, May 11 (IANS) Iran's top military officials have voiced the country's readiness to strengthen Syria's defence sector. Defence Minister Mohammadreza Ashtiani and chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Baqeri met separately with visiting Syria's Chief of the General Staff Abdel Karim Mahmoud Ibrahim in Tehran on Wednesday, reports Xinhua news agency. Ashtiani expressed Iran's readiness to use its capacities and capabilities to reconstruct and develop the Syrian defence industry's infrastructure. He said the bilateral ties are at a good level as a result of a strategic and brotherly alliance between the two states. For…

14 Apr

Turkey, Egypt to work closely on issues of Syria, Libya: Turkish FM

Ankara, April 14 (IANS) Turkey and Egypt will work closely on regional issues, particularly on Libya and Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said. "We want to fill the new page we opened with Egypt with joint projects and success stories," Cavusoglu added on Thursday at a joint press conference with visiting Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in the Turkish capital of Ankara. Bringing about permanent peace and stability in Syria are important to both Turkey and Egypt, the Turkish Foreign Minister said, adding the two countries have agreed to work closely and exchange views in this regard. According to Cavusoglu,…