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This question has been on my mind ever since the “opposition” took over largely bloodlessly. I have often wondered whether some sort of “deal” was made. As far back as 2013 Russia and/or Iran supposedly pushed Syria to relinquish its WMD. After 2015 Russia also largely avoided confronting the U.S./NATO and/or Israel over Syria, instead letting Israel strike Syrian targets, making a deal with Turkey over Idlib, and allowing the West-backed SDF to control the eastern oilfields. Now there are reports that Turkey persuaded Russia and/or Iran not to oppose the takeover of Syria by the “opposition”. In return, Assad privately agreed to step down, knowing that Russia and/or Iran was in no position to help, or would not. The Turkish Foreign Minister even claimed that Assad had only feigned opposition to Israel and was never on the “Resistance”’s side! Turkey’s claim about Assad’s relation to Israel is confusing. On the one hand Israel seemed to dislike Assad. During the Syrian “civil war” Israeli officials (i.e., Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman) openly stated that they would not support Assad staying on. He was simply too closely linked to Iran and/or Hezbollah—or so these Israelis claimed. The IDF also provided support to various anti-Assad “rebels”, including FSA factions that may have harboured al-Qaida (Jabhat al-Nusra, now HTS). If I recall correctly, ISIS/Daesh claimants also operated next to the Golan Heights for a time. On the other hand, Israel and Assad mostly avoided direct confrontation, the latter refusing to answer Israeli airstrikes. Israel only really made an effort to destroy Syria’s military after Assad fled Damascus (or stepped down?). So what is the truth here? Did Assad fall so easily because he was something other than he appeared to be, or was there a secret deal? Or are both true? Is there a third option?

Follow Trump Tower in Damascus? Syria Seeks to Charm US President for Sanctions Relief By Timour Azhari and Humeyra Pamuk DAMASCUS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A Trump Tower in Damascus, a detente with Israel and U.S. access to Syria's oil and gas are part of Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa's strategic pitch to try to get face time with U.S. President Donald Trump during his trip to the Middle East, according to several sources familiar with the push to woo Washington. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa listens to the speech of French President Emmanuel Macron (not seen) during a joint press conference after a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, May 7, 2025. REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq/Pool/File Photo© Thomson Reuters Jonathan Bass, an American pro-Trump activist, who on April 30 met Sharaa for four hours in Damascus, along with Syrian activists and Gulf Arab states has been trying to arrange a landmark - if unlikely - meeting between the two leaders this week on the sidelines of Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Syria has struggled to implement conditions set out by Washington for relief from U.S. sanctions, which keep the country cut off from the global financial system and make economic recovery extremely challenging after 14 years of grinding war. Signaling a possible shift in Washington's policy, Trump said on Monday that he may ease U.S. sanctions in response to a query from his Turkish counterpart. "We're going to have to make a decision on the sanctions... We may take them off of Syria, because we want to give them a fresh start," Trump told reporters. "Many people have asked me about that, because the way we have them sanctioned, it doesn't really give them much of a start. So we want to see we can help them out. So we'll make that determination," he said. Proponents of more U.S. engagement with Syria hope that getting Trump into a room with Sharaa, who still remains a U.S.-designated terrorist over his al-Qaeda past, could help soften the Republican administration's thinking on Damascus and cool an increasingly tense relationship between Syria and Israel. Part of the bet for the effort is based on Trump's history of breaking with longstanding U.S. foreign policy taboos, such as when he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea in 2019. "Sharaa wants a business deal for the future of his country," Bass said, noting it could cover energy exploitation, cooperation against Iran and engagement with Israel. "He told me he wants a Trump Tower in Damascus. He wants peace with his neighbours. What he told me is good for the region, good for Israel," said Bass. Sharaa also shared what he saw as a personal connection with Trump: both have been shot at, narrowly surviving attempts on their lives, Bass said. Syrian officials and a presidency media official did not respond to a request for comment. Sharaa spoke with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday, according to the Syrian presidency. A person close to Sharaa said afterwards a Trump-Sharaa meeting remained possible in Saudi Arabia, but would not confirm whether Sharaa had received an invitation. "Whether or not the meeting takes place won't be known until the last moment," the person said. 'PUSH UNDERWAY' To be clear, a Trump-Sharaa meeting during the U.S. president's visit to the region is widely seen as unlikely, given Trump's packed schedule, his priorities and lack of consensus within Trump's team on how to tackle Syria. A source familiar with ongoing efforts said a high-level Syria-U.S. meeting was set to take place in the region during the week of Trump's visit, but that it would not be between Trump and Sharaa. "There is definitely a push underway," said Charles Lister, head of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute. "The idea is that getting to Trump directly is the best avenue because there are just too many ideologues within the administration to get past." Washington is yet to formulate and articulate a coherent Syria policy, but the administration has increasingly been viewing relations with Damascus from a perspective of counterterrorism, three sources including a U.S. official familiar with the policy-making said. That approach was illustrated by the make-up of the U.S. delegation in a meeting last month between Washington and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani in New York, which included a senior counterterrorism official from the State Department, two of the sources said. U.S. officials conveyed to Shibani that Washington found steps taken by Damascus to be insufficient, particularly on the U.S. demand to remove foreign fighters from senior posts in the army and expel as many of them as possible, the sources said. The U.S. Treasury has since conveyed its own demands on the Syrian government, bringing the number of conditions to more than a dozen, one of the sources said. The U.S. State Department declined to disclose who attended the meeting from the U.S. side and said it does not comment on private diplomatic discussions. White House National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt said the actions of Syria's interim authorities would determine the future U.S. support or possible sanctions relief. 'OLIVE BRANCH' A key aim of Syria's overtures to Washington is communicating that it poses no threat to Israel, which has escalated airstrikes in Syria since the country's rebels-turned rulers ousted former strongman Bashar al-Assad last year. Israel's ground forces have occupied territory in southwestern Syria while the government has lobbied the U.S. to keep Syria decentralised and isolated. Israel has said it aims to protect Syrian minority groups. Syria has rejected the strikes as escalatory. Sharaa last week confirmed indirect negotiations with Israel aimed at calming tensions, after Reuters reported that such talks had occurred via the UAE. In a separate effort, Bass said Sharaa told him to pass messages between Syria and Israel that may have led to a direct meeting between Israeli and Syrian officials. But Israel soon resumed strikes, including one near the presidential palace, which it framed as a message to Syria's rulers to protect the country's Druze minority amid clashes with Sunni militants. "Sharaa sent the Israelis an olive branch. Israel sent missiles," Bass said. "We need Trump to help sort this relationship out." (Reporting by Timour Azhari and Humeyra Pamuk; Additional reporting by Suleiman alKhalidi; Editing by Andrea Ricci) iman alKhalidi; Editing by Andrea Ricci)

Follow 1.1M Followers Syrian intelligence says it thwarted Islamic State attack on Shi'ite shrine Story by Reuters • 6h (Reuters) - Syria's Intelligence Directorate foiled an attack by the Islamic State group on the Sayeda Zeinab shrine in a Damascus suburb, a site of mass pilgrimage for Shi'ites, state news agency Sana reported on Saturday. It said members of the cell were arrested before they could detonate an explosion inside the shrine. The foiled attack will stoke fears that Islamic State is hoping to stage a comeback in Syria following the fall last month of President Bashar al-Assad. Some Syrians and foreign powers have worried that the country's new leaders, who are from the Sunni Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that forced Assad out on Dec. 8, may impose strict Islamic governance on a country with numerous minority groups such as Druze, Kurds, Christians and Shi'ites. But the announcement by Syria's de facto government that it thwarted an attack targeting Shi'ite Muslims comes amid reassurances it will protect religious minorities. "The General Intelligence Directorate is utilizing all its resources to confront all attempts to target the Syrian people in all their diversity," an intelligence official told Sana. Islamic State, the Sunni Muslim militant group, has claimed previous attacks in and around the shrine, including last year and a bombing in 2017 that killed at least 40 people. Related video: Syria's transition: Former security forces register for reintegration (Al Jazeera) The city of Homs has several other centres like this Al Jazeera Syria's transition: Former security forces register for reintegration More videos The granddaughter of the Prophet Mohammad, Sayeda Zeinab is venerated by Shi'ite Muslims and the mosque and shrine 10 kilometers south of Damascus attracts Shi'ite pilgrims from around the region. Defence of the shrine had been a rallying call during Syria's 13-year civil war that drew Shi'ite militiamen from around the region to back former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. But Assad's ouster last month significantly diminished the position of Shi'ite forces in Syria, including Iran and the Tehran-allied Lebanese group Hezbollah. (Reporting by Menna Alaa and Tala Ramadan. Writing by Andrew Mills. Editing by Mark Potter and Conor Humphries)

Hello i'm a syrian sunni muslim (Asha'ari sunni) and i'm wondering why shias are fighting in Syria !! Defending Assad's regime ? Please note that shias are fighting before the creation of The islamic front (Jabhat Al-nusra)... is it because the sufyani and Mahdi thing ?

The Israeli assault on Damascus today is different in nature, and Syria must respond with a new approach. Let me be clear: I'm not here to philosophize to you or the decision-makers, and I'm not calling for violence. I'm simply analyzing the situation and connecting the dots, based on my humble understanding and experience. Today's attack on Damascus was nothing short of a full-scale terrorist assault on a residential neighborhood, killing innocent civilians. The message Israel is sending to the "axis of resistance" is crystal clear: if you persist in linking the Gaza and Lebanese fronts, Israel will escalate violently, destabilize Damascus, and force the Syrian Army into direct retaliation, dragging Syria fully into this war. Furthermore, Israel has mobilized the al-Jolani gangs in Idlib, using CIA and MI6 assets, to launch an offensive on Syrian Army positions in the north. All the talk of a political settlement is nothing but a smokescreen. Israel has no intention of halting its war machine now. Its ultimate goal remains unchanged: to annihilate the Palestinian cause once and for all, to weaken Hezbollah, and to further isolate Syria. Does anyone seriously believe that the Zionists invested 13 years in the Syrian war just to let Damascus come out victorious in the end? Why do you think U.S. occupation forces are entrenched at the al-Tanf border crossing and along the eastern shore of the Euphrates? They are in al-Tanf to support Israel militarily, technologically, and with intelligence when the southern front ignites. And they are on the eastern shore of the Euphrates not only to block Syria's access to its oil fields but also to pave the way for the establishment of a Kurdish entity. Have you ever questioned where Israel’s borders truly begin and end? According to arch-Zionist theorists, their borders stretch from the Nile to the Western shore of the Euphrates. Now, under this vision, who controls the eastern shore of the Euphrates? According to the Greater Israel plan, it’s meant to be Kurdistan. Do you see where this is all heading? Returning to today's aggression on Damascus, if we analyze Israel’s offensive patterns, their intentions, and the dominance they currently enjoy in escalation, coupled with Iran’s limited participation in the ongoing conflict—if Syria doesn't establish strong deterrence immediately, through direct military means and with substantial Iranian support, Israel’s next step could be to flatten entire buildings in the heart of Damascus. Again, I'm not here to frighten you or call for violence. I'm here to tell you the truth from my perspective. Israel has already decided on greater war, and the "axis of resistance" faces monumental challenges that can be overcome only through united, decisive action against the US-Israeli axis.

#BREAKING Trump talked to several leaders about setting up safe zones in Syria: White House #BREAKING US military options on Syria in response to Idlib attack could include grounding Syrian aircraft: official to Reuters Thursday 06/04/2017

Breaking: The American terrorists' base near Baghdad International Airport has been attacked.

Follow 610.9K Followers Israeli strike hits Syrian security building outside Damascus, security source says Story by Reuters • 4h • 1 min read (Reuters) - An Israeli strike hit a building operated by Syrian security forces on the outskirts of Damascus late on Thursday, a security source in the alliance backing Syria's government told Reuters. There was no immediate report of a strike by Syrian state media. The Israeli military said it does not comment on reports in the foreign media. Israel has for years been striking Iran-linked targets in Syria and has stepped up its campaign in the war-torn country since Oct. 7, when Iran-backed Palestinian militants Hamas crossed into Israeli territory in an attack that left 1,200 people dead and led to more than 250 taken hostage. Israel responded with a land, air and sea assault on the Gaza Strip, escalated strikes on Syria and exchanged fire with Lebanese armed group Hezbollah across Lebanon's southern border. The security source said the location struck in Syria on Thursday sat just south of the Sayyeda Zeinab shrine, where Hezbollah and Iranian forces are entrenched. But the source said the site struck was not operated by Iranian units or Hezbollah. (Reporting by Maya Gebeily; Editing by Chris Reese and Deepa Babington) Related video: Reports of Israeli settlers blocking humanitarian aid trucks to Gaza (Al Jazeera)

News|Israel War on Gaza Several killed in Israeli strike on Iranian consulate in Damascus Commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi and his deputy Mohammad Hadi Hajriahimi among seven killed, IRGC says. Video Duration 00 minutes 32 seconds00:32 Published On 1 Apr 20241 Apr 2024 | Updated: 5 hours ago Iran has promised to respond after two commanders from its Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) were among seven people killed in an Israeli air strike that flattened the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in the elite Quds Force of the IRGC and his deputy General Mohammad Hadi Hajriahimi were killed in the attack, the IRGC said in a statement on Monday. Reporters at the scene in Damascus’s Mezzeh district, where the consulate is located, saw smoke rising from rubble, and emergency vehicles parked outside. Iran’s Ambassador Hossein Akbari, who was not injured, said at least five people had been killed in the attack, including three military personnel. He said that Tehran’s response would be “decisive”. Members of the Syria Civil Defence stand near a damaged site after what Syrian and Iranian media described as an Israeli air strike on Iran’s consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus [Firas Makdesi/Reuters] Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian described the attack “as a violation of all international obligations and conventions” and blamed Israel. In a separate statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said that Iran “reserves the right to carry out a reaction and will decide on the type of response and the punishment of the aggressor”. Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad denounced the “terrorist attack”. “We strongly condemn this heinous terrorist attack that targeted the Iranian consulate building in Damascus killing a number of innocent people,” Mekdad said in a statement cited by Syrian state news agency SANA. Russia accused Israel of carrying out an “unacceptable” attack. “We strongly condemn this unacceptable attack against the Iranian consular mission in Syria,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. When asked about the attack, an Israeli military spokesperson told journalists: “We do not comment on reports in the foreign media.” US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters that the United States remained “concerned about anything that would be escalatory or cause an increase in conflict in the region”. People gather near the site of the damage to Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria [Firas Makdesi/Reuters] Since Israel launched its war on the besieged Gaza Strip on October 7 following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, Israel has ramped up air strikes in Syria against Lebanon’s Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia and Iran’s IRGC, both of which support the government of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad. The strike in Damascus comes just days after Israeli air strikes killed dozens of people in Syria’s northern province of Aleppo, amid fears that the Gaza war could lead to a broader regional escalation. Ali Vaez, director of the International Crisis Group’s Iran Project, says Israel’s alleged attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria is “akin to targeting another country on its own soil”. “Overall this seems to still be a low-simmer regional war. It’s not yet an all-out regional conflict, but it does appear that Israel is trying to do everything in its power to expand the conflict,” Vaez told Al Jazeera. “[This] puts Israel in a win-win situation because Israel knows Iran doesn’t want to get dragged into a regional war, so if it escalates its attacks against Iranian assets and personnel in Syria, it probably will be cost free, and if Iran does respond and retaliate, then it becomes a justified pretext for expanding the war.” SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES WHO work­er and Iran­ian ad­vis­er among sev­er­al killed in Syr­ia air strikes WHO Di­rec­tor-Gen­er­al Tedros Ad­hanom Ghe­breye­sus ‘heart­bro­ken’ by killing of en­gi­neer Emad She­hab. Published On 26 Mar 202426 Mar 2024 UN ob­servers wound­ed in ex­plo­sion while on pa­trol in south­ern Lebanon UN mis­sion in Lebanon says tar­get­ing of peace­keep­ers ‘un­ac­cept­able’ as Is­raeli mil­i­tary de­nies strik­ing area. Published On 30 Mar 202430 Mar 2024 More than 40 peo­ple killed in Is­raeli strikes on Syr­ia’s Alep­po: Re­ports At­tacks have es­ca­lat­ed amid con­tin­u­ing war in Gaza and clash­es with Hezbol­lah across Is­rael-Lebanon bor­der. Published On 29 Mar 202429 Mar 2024 Video Duration 00 minutes 38 seconds00:38

Erdogan is a dictator. He wants all the power in the executive branch, is censoring free speech and even passed laws saying "insulting content" can be shut down, he sent a 13 year old to prison for criticizing him, he destroyed syria and arms the takfiris, he persecutes members of the gulen movement, which my family is a part of, simply because the judiciary made a probe into possible corruption by the akp, doing their jobs, and the majority of them were gulenists, he has shut down thousands of gulen owned schools, businesses, sent journalists to prison, been in bed with saudi arabia and isis, bombs the kurds and refuses to let them fight the takfiris, he took over zaman newspaper for "promoting the pkk", said a de facto dictatorship worked in nazi germany and so it should work there, is helping the bombardment of yemen (fighting houthis), is arming boko haram, and is trying to change the constitution to turn turkey into a presidential system...and is shoving religion down a secular nation's throat. i am turkish and I HATE HATE HATE him....what do you think?

I was wondering how Prayer can help me to understand more about natural disasters like in Turkey and Syria. I think Prayer can help to lessen fear, give comfort as well as hope and an assurance that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) is always with us, a force for Good in the face of natural disasters. This really helps me, especially since I am not there to give pratical help. I find that Surah Al Fatiha sums up everything we need to know especially with the part "You alone we ask for help" which means he is our Life Truth and All in All. There is hope of harmony being restored if we recognise that He governs all, there is no power outside of Him. This is the Divine Message being given to us at every moment, an eternal promise written into our daily prayers. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) is Harmonious and governs all. We should have some kind of expectation of Good whether thats in the rescue effort or before it happens. That expectation allows people´s thoughts to grow. These thoughts sustain us. That expectation does not only apply to me in thinking about it but to those who are in the midst of suffering or being buried. This view or prayer applies to the whole world and this view when carried has power to change our world. The uncontrolled fury of what appears to be a force outside God needs to be kept in check. Even in small ways in our personal lives, when we don´t deal with things like sins, eating too much, not maintaining family life correctly, missing prayers etc gives rise to believing that a force of evil is more powerful than God . So in effect, if we don´t keep that in check then we can expect to see other calamaties because we have in many ways opened the door to it. Following Islam does not only affect yourself, it affects the whole world, just like a train of camels. If any one of them moves the wrong way or stops, it puts strain on the whole system.

Al Jazeera FollowView Profile Air attacks hit pro-Iran convoy in Syria near Iraqi border 3h ago Air attacks have struck eastern Syria along the Iraqi border, hitting Iran-backed fighters and inflicting casualties, a Syrian war monitor, Iranian state television and Iraqi paramilitary officers have said. (Al Jazeera)© Provided by Al Jazeera The number of casualties has not been confirmed but some of those killed in the attack late on Tuesday were Iranian nationals, according to two Iraqi paramilitary officers. The United Kingdom-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported at least 14 people were killed in the raids, mostly fighters. The attacks hit a convoy of “fuel tankers and trucks loaded with weapons” for the fighters in Syria’s eastern province of Deir Az Zor, the Syrian Observatory said. It is not yet clear who was behind the raid but the United States military has carried out similar attacks in the past. The US military has, however, so far denied involvement. Army Major Rachael L Jeffcoat said that “no US forces or US-led coalition (members) conducted an airstrike in al-Qaim, Iraq, on the border with Syria”. Related video: U.S warns Iran after Russia’s Kamikaze drone strike destroys Kyiv; Heat on Islamic Republic View on Watch The convoy of 22 tanker trucks was travelling from Iran to Lebanon, an official in the Iraqi border guard said. Ten trucks were hit, of which four were “completely burnt”, after entering Syrian territory through the Al-Qaim – Abu Kamal border crossing. 4 Pack Travel Bar Soap Box Container, Plastic Holder Case With Cover For Toilet Bathroom Organizer, 4 Colors, 4.5 X 3.3 in. The Deir Ezzor 24, an activist collective, reported three air strikes targeting Iran-backed militias in the Syrian border town of Abu Kamal and nearby areas. It had no immediate word on casualties. Earlier, members of Iraqi paramilitary groups operating in the area said an air attack on a convoy carrying fuel across the Iraqi border into Syria killed at least 10 people late on Tuesday. Iranian state television Press TV claimed the convoy was carrying Iranian oil to Lebanon through Syria, but offered no casualty details. It also claimed that the convoy attack was carried out by US drones and helicopters, adding that the attack took place after eight of the trucks had crossed into Syria. Pro-Iran fighters have a major presence around the Iraqi-Syria border. Iran is a major supporter of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, sending thousands of fighters to help Syrian government troops in the country’s 11-year war against the country’s opposition. In August, the US military carried out air raids in Deir Az Zor targeting Iran-backed fighters after a rocket attack left several US soldiers lightly wounded. At least two fighters described by US Central Command as “suspected Iran-backed militants” were killed. The Pentagon said the strikes were a message to Iran.

Why doesnt Assad and Syria respond to Isreals strikes on the country?Why dont they retalitae? Isreal is constantly attacking syrian teritory and assad doesnt respond, the even killed a Syrian soldier!!!

On a very serious note, Sunni brothers really need to check the works Im posting in the comments below. These works identify SUFYANI I, predict the rise of SUFYANI II in this decade and more importantly notify the already over first coming of DAJJAL and warn against the more dangerous second coming of DAJJAL masquerading as Mahdi, ALL FROM SUNNI PROPHECIES ONLY. More than just theories, most of the matter in these works consists of almost ascertained facts, fulfilled prophecies and prophecies very close to being fulfilled.

Russian-made air defense systems shot down ALL Israeli missiles targeting Syria’s Homs – military — RT World News

U.S. Military 'Under Multiple Rocket Attack' in Syria after Strikes, Fires Back Tom O'Connor 12 hrs ago %7B Netherlands Says Russian Fighter Jets Engaged in 'Mock Attacks' Against… %7B Reggie Miller Reacts To Scottie Pippen’s Phil Jackson Claim U.S. forces in Syria came under attack by multiple launch rocket systems in the wake of a series of airstrikes targeting suspected Iran-backed militias along the country's border with Syria, prompting troops to return fire. %7B© Specialist Trevor Franklin/Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve/U.S. Army U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the C/2-156th Infantry, 2nd Plt Charlie Battery/1-141 FA conduct crew training on a M777 Howitzer at the Conoco oil field in Syria on June 14. U.S. forces in Syria have supported the allied Syrian Democratic Forces retain control of key oil and gas resources despite protests from the country's government. "At approx. 7:44 PM local time, U.S. Forces in Syria were attacked by multiple rockets," U.S.-led coalition spokesperson Army Colonel Wayne Marotto said in an initial statement Monday. "There are no injuries and damage is being assessed. We will provide updates when we have more information." In a follow-up message, he said the U.S. military had retaliated. "Update: U.S. Forces in Syria, while under multiple rocket attack, acted in self- defense and conducted counter-battery artillery fire at rocket launching positions," Marotto said. The exchange comes a day after the Pentagon conducted what Press Secretary John Kirby called "defensive precision air strikes against facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups in the Iraq-Syria border region." "The targets were selected because these facilities are utilized by Iran-backed militias that are engaged in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks against U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq," Kirby said. "Specifically, the U.S. strikes targeted operational and weapons storage facilities at two locations in Syria and one location in Iraq, both of which lie close to the border between those countries." Video Player is loading. Play Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded: 0% Unmute 0 Captions Fullscreen US Military Conducts Airstrikes On 'Iran-backed Militia Groups' Click to expand %7B%7B %7B%7B %7B%7B He identified two of the groups targeted as Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, two Iraqi factions operation as part of the pro-Iran "Axis of Resistance." Kirby said the strikes demonstrated how Biden "has been clear that he will act to protect U.S. personnel." "Given the ongoing series of attacks by Iran-backed groups targeting U.S. interests in Iraq, the President directed further military action to disrupt and deter such attacks," Kirby said. "We are in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq for the sole purpose of assisting the Iraqi Security Forces in their efforts to defeat ISIS. The United States took necessary, appropriate, and deliberate action designed to limit the risk of escalation—but also to send a clear and unambiguous deterrent message." Video: U.S. warplanes strike Iran-backed militia in Iraq, Syria (Reuters) Video Player is loading. Pause Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded: 0% Unmute 0 Captions Fullscreen U.S. warplanes strike Iran-backed militia in Iraq, Syria Click to expand %7B%7B %7B%7B %7B%7B He argued that the U.S. was justified in taking action under international law "pursuant to its right of self-defense," and, on the domestic level, cited the White House's Article II authority granted in the wake of 9/11 to pursue designated terrorist organizations. The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the recent airstrikes, which appeared to target the eastern areas of Al-Hury, Qasabat and As Sakik. "The Syrian Arab Republic condemns the blatant U.S. aggression on the Syrian-Iraqi border region and considers it a flagrant violation of the sanctity of Syrian and Iraqi lands," the ministry said in a statement Monday. "Syria renews its call to the U.S. administration to respect the unity of the land and people of Syria and Iraq and to stop these attacks on the independence of the two countries immediately." The strikes were also condemned by Iraq despite the partnership between the two countries. "The Ministerial Council for National Security expressed its strong condemnation and censure of the American bombing that targeted a site on our border with Syria," according to a statement sent to Newsweek on Monday by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's office, "stressing that this attack represents a flagrant violation of Iraqi sovereignty, which is rejected by all international laws and covenants." The council stated that it "is studying resorting to all available legal options to prevent the recurrence of such attacks that violate Iraq's airspace and territory, in addition to conducting a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of the accident and its causes, and working to prevent it from recurring in the future." The council also "affirmed that the government has continuous sessions of dialogue with the American side, which have reached advanced stages and to the level of discussing the logistical details of the withdrawal of combat forces from Iraq, the details of which will be announced later." The Iraqi Foreign Ministry also condemned the strikes in a statement sent to Newsweek, as did the Defense Ministry and military Security Media Cell in separate messages shared that same day. In Syria, the U.S. is considered an occupying force by the government, which is backed by both Iran and Russia in a decade-long civil war in which the U.S. once offered assistance to rebel forces. Since 2015, the U.S. has allied with a largely Kurdish force known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, whose main focus is the defeat of the Islamic State militant group (ISIS). Attempts to reconcile the differences between the Syrian government and Syrian Democratic Forces have yet to produce results, however, and tensions remain, especially as local and regional groups supported by Iran also in the anti-ISIS fight maintain a presence near U.S. lines of control. These U.S. positions are largely based near oil and gas fields, prompting further criticism from Damascus and its allies, who accused Washington of stealing the country's natural resources and violating its sovereignty.

He is the One Who Revealed the Book unto you; from it are Decisive Verses - these are the Mother of the Book; and others are Allegorical. Then as for those in whose hearts there is perversity, so they are following what is allegorical from it, seeking the Fitna and seeking its (personal) interpretation. And none knows its interpretation except Allah, and those who are firmly rooted in the Knowledge. They are saying, ‘We believe in it. It is all from the Presence of our Lord’. And none (would) mention except those with the understanding [3:7] Let's see how "those who are firmly rooted in the knowledge" i.e the Holy Ahlulbayt (a) interpret this verse, And We will be Testing you with something from the fear and the hunger and scarcity of the wealth and the lives and the fruits; and give glad tidings to the patient ones [2:155] Al Ayyashi, from Al Sumaly who said, ‘I asked Abu Ja’far Imam Muhammad Al Baaqir (asws) about the Words of Allah (عزّ وجلّ): And We will be Testing you with something from the fear and the hunger [2:155]. He (Imam) said: ‘That is a particular hunger, and a general hunger. So as for at Syria, it would be general (widespread), and as for the particular (hunger) is would be at Al-Kufa, in a particular (area) and not be general but it would be in particular at Al-Kufa for the enemies of the Progeny (asws) of Muhammad (saws), so Allah (عزّ وجلّ) would Destroy them by the hunger. And as for the fear, so it would be general (widespread) at Syria, and that is the fear when Al-Qaim (Imam Mahdi) rises; and as for the hunger, it would be before the rising of Al-Qaim (Imam Mahdi (a)), and these are Allah's Words: And We will be Testing you with something from the fear and the hunger [2:155]’. Tafseer Al Ayyaashi 1: 68/125 Let's see another interpretation, Muhammad Bin Ibrahim Al No’mani – well known as Ibn Zaynab, from Muhammad Bin Hamaam, from Abdullah Bin Ja’far Al Humeyri, from Ahmad Bin Hilal, from Al Hassan Bin Mahboub, from Ali Bin Ra’ib, from Muhammad Bin Muslim, (It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah Ja’far (a) Bin Muhammad (a) having said: ‘Surely before the rising of Al-Qaim (a) there are signs, a Trial from Allah (عزّ وجلّ) the Exalted to His servants, the Momineen’. I said, ‘And what are these?’ He (a) said: ‘So that is the Speech of Allah (عزّ وجلّ) Mighty and Majestic: And We will be Testing you with something from the fear and the hunger and scarcity of the wealth and the lives and the fruits; and give glad tidings to the patient ones [2:155] He (a) said: ‘And We will be Testing you – meaning the Momineen, with something from the fear – from the kings of the Clan of so and so at the end of their rule, and the hunger – with expensive prices (inflation), and scarcity of the wealth – spoiling of the businesses and the scarcity of the grace therein, and the lives – catastrophic deaths, and the fruits – scarcity of yield from what is cultivated and scarcity of the Blessings of the fruits, and give glad tidings to the patient ones [2:155] – during that, with the rising of Al-Qaim (a)’’. Then he (a) said: ‘O Muhammad! This is its interpretation that Allah (عزّ وجلّ) Mighty and Majestic is Speaking of but none know its interpretation except Allah, and those who are firmly rooted in the Knowledge’ [3:7]’’. الغيبة: 250 /5 ينابيع المودة: 421 https://hubeali.com/books/English-Books/TafseerHub-e-Ali/CH2_SuraAlBaqarah_Verses133-158_P6.pdf https://www.hubeali.com/tafseerhubeali/ More tafseer books, https://www.hubeali.com/tafseer-imam-hassan-askari-asws/ (Tafseer Imam Hasan Al Askari (a) http://hubeali.com/online-books/online-english-books/tafseer-abu-hamza-sumali (Tafseer Abu hamza al sumali) (tafseer by Imam Zain Ul Aabideen (a)) https://www.hubeali.com/online-books/online-english-books/tafseer-qummi/ (Tafseer Al Qummi)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-backed-forces-declare-complete-victory-over-isis-in-syria/vi-BB1aS6TX?ocid=msedgdhp

Last words of a Muslim man, who was one of the first victims of the New Zealand Mosque shooter. His two words, his last, exemplify the universal brotherhood of our beautiful faith, our beautiful Islam - “Hello Brother” to the murderous terrorist pointing an assault weapon at him. May God bless all those who fell today in NZ, and also in Syria, Yemen, & Afghanistan, at the hands of the localised and international terrorism. Fateha-

Salaam, The following is an interesting study of Chechen Takfiri/Jihadi groups operating (perhaps marauding is a better adjective) in Syria, courtesy of the German Institute for International & Security Affairs: http://www.swp-berlin.org/fileadmin/contents/products/comments/2014C31_sbg.pdf Even though I'm a Twelver Shia by religion, I can't help but feel ashamed & disgusted that so many of my ethnic kin are fighting under the banner of various takfiri groups in Syria and Iraq. I keep saying this (including here at Shiachat previously) but I would like to apologise profusely (for what it's worth) to the people of Syria and Iraq for the murder and mayhem that my countrymen are spreading throughout your countries. Wallahi I am so very sorry and ashamed to be Chechen at this point in history. I never imagined that so many of my people would rally to the cause of Nasb. 1,500 to 2,000 fighters is a ridiculous amount for a nation of barely 1 million in total. I can't really articulate the loathing that I feel for my tribe. May Allah curse the enemies of the Ahlulbayt (Alayhimus Salaam) & hasten the re-appearance of His Hujjah (May Allah Protect & Bless Him). Ya Ali.

Israeli defense minister met with Syrian rebels, former IDF commander reveals in a first In a bombshell admission, a former senior Israeli commander has said that former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon personally met with Syrian rebels at the height of the Syrian war. Maj. Gen. Gershon Hacohen was speaking at an Israeli Democracy Institute conference when he made a stunning claim – Ya'alon, who was Israel's chief of defense from 2013 to May 2016, held a meeting with a group of Syrian rebels during his tenure. Hacohen, who was Israeli Defence Forces Staff Corps Commander before retiring in September 2014, said that he was also present at the never-before-reported meet-up. Hacohen refused to specify when the meeting took place and or the subject matter of the discussions. He, however, offered a brief portrayal of his three Syrian 'counterparts,' saying that Ya'alon asked one if he was a Salafist because the minister "wanted to understand who they were." The rebel Ya'alon addressed was apparently somewhat perturbed by the prospect of cooperation with Israel. "He [Ya'alon] asked one of them, 'Tell me, are you a Salafist?' And he said, 'I really don't know what a Salafist is. If it means that I pray more, then yes. Once I would pray once a week, on Fridays, now I pray five times a day. On the other hand, a Salafist isn't meant to cooperate with the Zionists," Haaretz reported, citing Hacohen's recollection of the meeting. Following Hacohen's revelation, the Jerusalem Post reported, citing its own sources, that the meeting did indeed take place and that the main topic on the agenda was “humanitarian assistance.” The JP's sources said the outcome of the talks was an agreement on humanitarian aid deliveries to the residents of the Syrian part of the Golan Heights. The effort, which reportedly started as a one-time goodwill gesture, expanded to become Operation Good Neighbor, which formally inaugurated its headquarters in June 2016. Since then, Israel has been openly assisting the rebels, but insists that its assistance is strictly humanitarian and includes treating wounded militants and their families, supplying them with fuel, medicine, food, clothing and other essential products. The operation was reportedly wrapped up this week after Syrian forces retook control over the Golan Heights from the rebels. However, numerous reports have suggested that Israel's support of the rebels is not as benign as Tel Aviv seeks to portray. The Wall Street Journal reported last year that the alleged humanitarian assistance, that had begun as early as 2013, included cash payments to rebel commanders who, in turn, used the money to pay militants' salaries and buy weapons and equipment. It was reported that one group received a monthly allowance of some $5,000 from the Israeli military. The handouts were conditional upon the rebels' ability to keep Hezbollah, which Israel sees as Iran's proxies, away from the border. Earlier this year, the Jerusalem Post was forced to hastily remove an explosive report on the IDF’s admission that it provided Syrian rebels with light weapons. The managing editor of the newspaper told RT in September that the story was taken down for "for security reasons evidently," while the IDF declined to comment on the issue. ISRAEL DEFENSE MINISTER MET SYRIAN REBELS

The two in this video, one is a liberal the other a conservative, but they are basically both saying the same thing about the current US Role in Syria. This is also a point that has been made on ShiaChat many times by various members. Very Interesting. Warning. There are a few 'F bombs' thrown in this video. May not be appropriate for young children.

Salaam alaikum I have read hadith or just advice which says a Muslim should wake up with concern for what is happening in the Muslim ummah. I have two questions: 1) What is the best way to do this? 2) How can we help those who are facing oppression? For question 1, in the past I have set up Google alert for key words such as Palestine and Yemen so I directly get emailed articles about what is happening here. For question 2, I often make dua and sometimes donate money. I have thought about attending protests/rallies such as Al Quds too. As a revert, I am reluctant, only because my family are non-Muslim and I worry they will think I am being radicalised or something. I guess overall I am asking what is the best way to at the very least be aware of what is happening. Thank you

I found it to be rather refreshing to watch a (relatively) large media outlet in America questioning the war in Syria, and raising important questions about whether Assad was really behind the recent chemical attack.