Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Sheikh Qassem: Resistance is a source of power for Lebanon that must be preserved.
Sheikh Qassem: "Israel" must implement the agreement as Lebanon has already done so, and any new accord would amount to absolving it and opening the door to further attacks.
Sheikh Qassem: We do not wish to assume anyone's role; those accusing us of this must cease their accusations.
Sheikh Qassem: We will recover our lands through national solidarity; Resistance's goal is national liberation, while enemy goal is occupation.
Sheikh Qassem: Protection of sovereignty protects Lebanon. It is in real danger because of US belligerence, greedy Israeli expansion.
Qassem to Lebanese people: We are not asking for support but for us not to be stabbed in the back in the back or for some to serve Israeli interests; government is primary party responsible for [preservation of] sovereignty.
Sheikh Qassem: "Israel" can occupy, but it cannot persist in occupation of our land.
Sheikh Qassem: Intimidation will not change our stance of resistance and steadfastness. We are not advocates of surrender or defeat, and we will never accept it.
Sheikh Qassem: Where does US stand regarding enemy's unjustified assassination of a government worker and other civilian martyrs?
Sheikh Qassem: Is the Lebanese Army's defense of its land and citizens an accusation [leveled against it]? Where does US stand regarding the enemy's killing of civilians and constant destruction?

Syrian MoD rejects Kurdish proposal for its own military bloc

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 Jan 2025 15:06
2 Min Read

Syria's new defense minister says the US-backed Kurdish fighters should not retain a separate bloc within the unified Syrian armed forces.

Listen
  • x
  • Syrian MoD rejects Kurdish proposal for its own military bloc
    Syria's newly appointed defense minister, Murhaf Abu Qasra, undated. (Social Media/X)

Syria's newly appointed defense minister stated on Sunday that it would not be appropriate for US-backed Kurdish fighters in the country's northeast to maintain their separate bloc within the unified Syrian armed forces.

In an interview with Reuters at the Defense Ministry in Damascus, Murhaf Abu Qasra accused the leadership of the Kurdish fighters, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), of procrastinating in addressing the complex issue.

The SDF, which has created a semi-autonomous zone over 14 years of civil war, has been negotiating with the new administration in Damascus, led by the armed groups that overthrew President Bashar al-Assad on December 8.

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi stated that one of their key demands is a decentralized administration. In an interview with Saudi Arabia's Asharq News channel last week, he emphasized that the SDF is open to integrating with the Defense Ministry, but as "a military bloc" and without disbanding.

Related News

UN expresses concern over massacres, human rights violations in Syria

Russia resumes flights to Hmeimim Air Base in Syria

Abu Qasra rejected that proposal on Sunday.

"We say that they would enter the Defense Ministry within the hierarchy of the Defense Ministry, and be distributed in a military way - we have no issue there," he said. 

"But for them to remain a military bloc within the Defense Ministry, such a bloc within a big institution is not right."

Since taking office, one of the minister's main priorities has been integrating Syria's diverse anti-Assad factions into a unified command structure. However, this has proven difficult with the SDF. While the US sees the group as a vital ally in the fight against Islamic State militants, neighboring Turkiye views it as a national security threat.

He expressed hope to complete the integration process, including appointing senior military figures, by March 1, when the transitional government's mandate is set to expire.

  • Syria
  • Syrian Democratic Forces
  • Murhaf Abu Qasra
  • Damascus
  • SDF
  • Syrian Ministry of Defense

Most Read

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
The secret cloud deal: Google and Amazon “winking” pact with 'Israel'

With a 'wink', Israeli control over Google, Amazon cloud data exposed

  • Technology
  • 29 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
ap
Politics

Hamas calls on int’l community to act against Israeli settlement plan

In this Nov. 9, 2017, file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump, right, chats with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (AP)
Economy

Ex-US diplomat says Trump-Xi deal 'tactical retreat', not lasting deal

An unarmed Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, during a test in 2002. (US Air Force)
Politics

JD Vance defends Trump's nuclear test plan as 'crucial for security'

Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend the "million man" protest against military conscription, in occupied al-Quds, October 30, 2025 (AFP)
Politics

Haredi mass rally in al-Quds exposes Zionist regime's growing crisis

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS