NICOLA ABLETT’s Post

Activity of terror groups, radicals intensifies in Syria — Russian envoy "All this raises alarm because there are forces seeking to destabilize the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic," Alexander Lavrentyev stressed ASTANA, November 11/ The Islamic State terror group (outlawed in Russia) and other radicals have been more active in Syria of late, Russian Presidential Special Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev told reporters. "Syria is facing social, economic and financial difficulties. Radical groups have become more active in western and eastern [Syria]. The so-called Islamic State [terror group] has been more active of late, too. All this raises alarm because there are forces seeking to destabilize the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic," the Russian diplomat said. Lavrentyev called for preventing the chaos in Syria from spreading which he said would affect the situation in neighboring countries and destabilize the entire region. #business #finance #financialservices

Syrians woke up today to a hopeful, if uncertain, future after rebels seized Damascus and President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia. The lightning advance of a militia alliance spearheaded by Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, marked one of the biggest turning points for the Middle East in generations. Assad's fall wiped out a bastion from which Iran and Russia exercised influence across the Arab world. The storming of al-Assad’s palace marks 13 years of civil war and over 50 years of his family's brutal rule. Moscow gave asylum to Assad and his family, Russian media reported and Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, said on his Telegram channel on Sunday. International governments welcomed the end of the Assads' autocratic government as they sought to take stock of a new-look Middle East. HTS is still designated as a terrorist group by the US, Turkey and the United Nations. Assad's overthrow limits Iran's ability to spread weapons to its allies and could cost Russia its Mediterranean naval base. It could also allow millions of refugees scattered for more than a decade in camps across Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan to return home. The rebels face a monumental task of rebuilding and running a country after a war that left hundreds of thousands dead, cities pounded to dust, and an economy hollowed by global sanctions. Syria will need billions of dollars in aid. https://lnkd.in/ghU46x5W

Bashar al-Assad has fled to Moscow as a coalition of rebels, including HTS and Kurdish-led SDF forces, seized Damascus. This marks the end of Assad’s 54-year family rule. While viewed as an opportunity to rebuild Syria, concerns loom over a power vacuum and terrorism risks. Russia and Iran face setbacks in influence, with the international community cautiously optimistic. Syria now begins the challenging journey toward reconstruction and political transition. Read the full story here: https://hubs.ly/Q02_zSh10 #Assad #Syria #GeoPolitics #OSINT

Syria, Mission Accomplished? Remember all of the jubilation created in Baghdad by the CIA, who hired a crowd that stormed the center square and tore down the statue of Saddam Hussein? Remember the mobs looting the presidential palaces, banks and commercial outlets? Welcome to Damascus 2024. To quote Yogi Berra, “It is Déjà vu, all over again.” I admit, I am surprised by how rapidly the Assad regime collapsed. This was not the result, primarily, of military pressure from the terrorist fighters of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Something else was afoot. A deal was cut and Assad was persuaded to abandon his government and head for Russia. I am sure there are champagne corks a popping at CIA Headquarters in McLean, Virginia and at MI-6 Headquarters in London. I think this operation surpassed even their expectations. But, if the subsequent events that unfolded in Iraq in 2003 and in Libya in 2011 are any guide, the celebrations should be tempered with trepidation. Why? Because Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham is now in charge. Instead of bringing peace and reconciliation, HTS will impose strict Sharia law and will punish those guilty of heresy — which means large segments of Syrian society are likely to be purged. HTS itself will become a target of terrorism. The most likely fate for Syria — at least for the next decade — is chaos and mayhem. Who or what is HTS? According to the US Department of State Annex of Statistical Information, Country Reports on Terrorism 2018: *Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) formed in January 2017 as a merger involving Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (formerly al-Nusra Front), the Ansar al-Din Front, Jaysh al-Sunna, Liwa al-Haqq, and the Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement. In 2017, al-Nusra Front had 104 incidents, Liwa al-Haqq had 3 incidents, and HTS had 21 incidents directly attributed to them. This table represents the merged incidents and casualties of HTS and its member groups. In the following year, 2019, HTS cemented its reputation as one of the “Top 10 Known Perpetrator Groups” in the world, and remained in the “Top 10” thru 2022 (the last year the report was released). While it carried out a smaller number of attacks in 2019 compared to 2018, it killed a lot more people. However, since its emergence in 2017, HTS has played second fiddle to ISIS, which has accounted for the overwhelming majority of terrorist attacks in Syria. HTS is not a friend of Iran. It remains a fundamentalist Sunni Salafist movement. In terms of ideological extremism, it is a cousin of the settler groups in Israel, which are represented by Zionists like Bezalel Smotrich — they broker no compromise with anyone. Unlike Assad, who kept Christian Churches open and protected the Shi’a and Alawite communities, HTS is likely to persecute, if not outright murder, those groups. This means that floods of refugees will be headed back to Lebanon, north to Turkey, west to Europe and east to Iraq. ... https://lnkd.in/dPeHeTUs

Ukraine Invasion – 9/30/2024 -- I post each day to support the Ukrainians against Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s immoral war and his war crimes. Слава Україні! On the front lines: Russian troops are trying to use a heavy flamethrower system and drop guided bombs near the Vovchansk aggregate plant in the Kharkiv region. Russian forces have captured the village of Nelipivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. Russia is planning to draft 133,000 Russians between October and January. Russia’s attacks and war crimes: Russian attacks against Ukraine killed three people and injured at least 45 others over the past day. Seven frontline regions – Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv – have received 600 generators as part of humanitarian aid ahead of winter. These will be used for critical facilities, such as hospitals and aged homes. Other news: A Russian company is planning to start exporting coal from the occupied Donbas region through the port of Mariupol. #СлаваУкраїні! #slavaukraini #standwithukraine #russiaterroriststate

In a significant move, Arab League assistant secretary-general Hossam Zaki told an Egyptian TV channel that the league's member states “agreed that the label of Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation should no longer be employed.” This comes at a time when tensions between the Lebanese militia and Israeli government have escalated to unprecedented level due to the former's obstinate demand for an end to the Gaza invasion. Hezbollah has recently made public video footage from drones showing how it can launch attacks on key Israeli infrastructure, including the Haifa port. Although Israel has threatened to launch an aggression of Lebanon, Hezbollah and Iran have warned that such adventurism can expand the regional conflict manifold. The Arab League designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation in 2016, following similar measures by the GCC. Though it accused it of sectarianism and meddling in other's affairs, what appears to have irked the Arab countries is the key role Hezbollah played to protect Syria's secular government led by Bashar al-Assad's Ba'ath Party. Due to the involvement of Hezbollah and Russia, the collective attack launched by the West and the Gulf monarchies targeting Syria failed and the West-backed ISIS was defeated. The Arab League's step is an important one considering the recent geopolitical developments. #Hezbollah #Lebanon #ArabLeague #Arab #resistance #Syria #SyrianWar #Israel #Palestine

270 days after Hamas invaded Israel not enough people understand what Israel is up against and how miraculous our existence truly is. Hillel Fuld sums up the challenges The countries/groups that are actively fighting against Israel right now, whether militarily or diplomatically include: - Hamas (Gaza and Judea and Samaria) - Hezbollah (Lebanon) - Fatah - Iran - Syria - Qatar - Houthis (Yemen) - China (Two Chinese tunnel engineers were arrested in Gaza. Turns out China helped Hamas build their tunnel infrastructure.) - Iraq - Egypt (Endless tunnels from Gaza to Egypt used to smuggle weapons and who knows what else.) - Turkey - South Africa - Spain - Norway - Ireland - Russia Plus Israelis face daily threats from terrorism. If this is not a world war, then I don’t know what is. Also, the fact that Israel still exists is beyond miraculous. We also need to remind ourselves that in every generation they try and annihilate the Jewish people. Empires that tried to destroy us have come and gone. The Jewish people - the people of Israel continue to live on and thrive. We need to remind ourselves of this every single day!

P3: NEWS : Assad dynasty collapses in Syria as rebel forces claim Damascus 🚨 Escalation in Syria: Global and Regional Ripples 🚨 The renewed conflict in Syria has intensified with significant humanitarian and geopolitical consequences. Opposition forces have seized major territories, prompting counteroffensives by the Syrian government and its allies. The crisis has displaced tens of thousands, highlighting the urgent need for diplomatic intervention to stabilize the region India's Position: India maintains a neutral stance, focusing on peace and stability rather than direct involvement. This policy reflects its broader geopolitical strategy, prioritizing energy security and combating terrorism. Instability in the Middle East threatens India's energy imports and risks amplifying extremism in neighboring regions Moreover, India's historical ties with Syria and strategic economic interests, including halted oil investments, underscore its cautious diplomacy. By supporting UN-led peace efforts, India seeks a balanced approach to safeguard regional stability while protecting its economic and security interests Source: CNBC NDTV Reuters Link - https://lnkd.in/gfPhtm6r