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Stoa Aperture
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World Affairs | World History | Practical Philosophy
UNDOF warned Israel was committing "severe" violations of the 1974 deal with Syria. apnews.com/article/mide...

(10/10)
UN force says Israeli work on Syrian frontier saw 'severe violations' of cease-fire after AP report
United Nations peacekeepers are warning that the Israeli military has committed “severe violations” of a cease-fire deal with Syria as its military continues a major construction project along the so-...
apnews.com
December 10, 2024 at 8:40 AM
In September 2024, Israel began construction in the buffer zone, as shown in satellite images reported by the Associated Press. apnews.com/article/mide...

(9/10)
Israel's military is building along UN-patrolled demilitarized zone in Syria, satellite images show
Israel has begun a construction project along a demarcation line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria, apparently laying asphalt for a road right along the frontier.
apnews.com
December 10, 2024 at 8:40 AM
The buffer zone Israel captured is patrolled by UN peacekeepers (UNDOF). Signs suggest Israel planned the move before Assad’s collapse.

(8/10)
December 10, 2024 at 8:40 AM
Saudi Arabia said it demonstrated “Israel’s continued violation of the rules of international law and its determination to sabotage Syria’s chances of restoring security, stability, and territorial integrity.”

(7/10)
December 10, 2024 at 8:40 AM
Arab nations, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, strongly condemned Israel’s move. Qatar called it “a dangerous development... a blatant attack on Syria’s sovereignty” and “a flagrant violation of international law.” aljazeera.com/news/2024/12...

(6/10)
Middle East states condemn Israel’s ‘dangerous’ land grab in Syria
Statements come as Israel continues to step up strikes across Syria after ouster of Bashar al-Assad’s government.
aljazeera.com
December 10, 2024 at 8:40 AM
However, Israeli PM Netanyahu also declared on Monday that the Golan Heights would be Israel’s "forever." It’s unclear if he was referencing the newly seized areas. timesofisrael.com/after-fall-o...

(5/10)
After fall of Assad, PM says Israel is ‘transforming the face of the Middle East’
In first press conference in 99 days, Netanyahu says ousted leader was key to Iranian axis, which Israel is 'taking apart step by step,' touts his resistance to pressure to end war
timesofisrael.com
December 10, 2024 at 8:40 AM
Miller insisted Israel’s occupation of the land was temporary: “Israel has said these actions are temporary to defend its borders. These are not permanent actions.”

(4/10)
December 10, 2024 at 8:40 AM
Miller said: “First, the Syrian army abandoned positions near the buffer zone, creating a vacuum that could have been filled by terrorist organizations threatening Israel. Every country has the right to act against terrorist organizations.”

(3/10)
December 10, 2024 at 8:40 AM
Israel seized land in the UN-negotiated buffer zone between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Syria, established in 1974, and took areas beyond it. When asked, State Dept spokesman Matt Miller emphasized "context." state.gov/briefings/de...

(2/10)
Department Press Briefing – December 9, 2024 - United States Department of State
2:15 p.m. EST MR MILLER: All right. Good afternoon, everyone. QUESTION: Good afternoon. MR MILLER: I’ll start with some opening comments. So Secretary Blinken just spoke to the situation in Syria in t...
state.gov
December 10, 2024 at 8:40 AM
On Monday, December 9, 2024, the US State Department backed Israel’s seizure of territory in Syria following the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government, describing the move as a defensive action. middleeasteye.net/news/us-says...

(1/10)
US repeats Israel's 'right to defend itself' after seizure of buffer zone with Syria
State Department says Israel has right to 'take actions against terrorist organisations'
middleeasteye.net
December 10, 2024 at 8:40 AM
Assad’s former prime minister, Mohammed al-Jalali, has already met with Julani to discuss a peaceful transfer of power. Assad’s Baath party also released a statement supporting a “transitional phase” under HTS’s leadership. timesofisrael.com/syrian-rebel...

(10/10)
Syrian rebels grant amnesty to Assad conscripts as leaders discuss transfer of power
Rebel leader al-Golani touts experience of administration over small Idlib region; Tehran insider claims Assad became a burden, regime leaked location of Iranian commanders
timesofisrael.com
December 10, 2024 at 7:17 AM
Mohammed al-Bashir, previously the prime minister of HTS’s Salvation Government in Idlib, has reportedly been appointed as Syria’s new prime minister. This signals HTS’s growing influence in the transitional government. timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...

(9/10)
Reports: Syrian rebels tap Mohamed Al-Bashir as transitional PM
* * *
timesofisrael.com
December 10, 2024 at 7:17 AM
Removing HTS from the terror list could have major implications, including allowing US aid to flow to an HTS-led government. Reports suggest HTS is positioning itself as a key power broker in Syria’s post-Assad era.

(8/10)
December 10, 2024 at 7:17 AM
Julani is now attempting to portray himself as a moderate leader. President Biden has acknowledged Julani’s recent rhetoric, saying, “They’re saying the right things now, but we’ll assess not just their words but their actions.”

(7/10)
December 10, 2024 at 7:17 AM
Julani has a long history in jihadist movements. He founded al-Nusra Front, al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, before “rebranding” it in 2016 by claiming to cut ties with al-Qaeda. HTS was formed in 2017 after al-Nusra merged with other Islamist factions.

(6/10)
December 10, 2024 at 7:17 AM
HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani, who has a $10 million US bounty on his head, is also at the center of this debate. Middle East Eye revealed that US officials are questioning whether the bounty on Julani should remain. middleeasteye.net/news/us-offi...

(5/10)
US officials discussed merits of removing $10m bounty on HTS leader
Meanwhile, Jordan's King emphasised importance of covert US support for the Syrian Free Army during his Washington DC visit, source says
middleeasteye.net
December 10, 2024 at 7:17 AM
POLITICO reports a “furious debate” among US officials over the issue. One official said, “There is a huge scramble to see if, and how, and when we can delist HTS.” politico.com/newsletters/...

(4/10)
Do Syria’s liberators still deserve the terrorist label?
No one in Washington is mourning the downfall of Assad, a brutal dictator implicated in widespread atrocities and war crimes, nor the major setbacks his downfall means for Iran and Russia.
politico.com
December 10, 2024 at 7:17 AM
The Biden administration is conducting a “real-time assessment” of whether HTS should remain on the foreign terrorist organization list.

(3/10)
December 10, 2024 at 7:17 AM
According to The Washington Post, US officials are in contact with HTS and other groups involved in Assad’s overthrow. washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

(2/10)
Biden officials race to help stabilize Syria after regime collapse
President Joe Biden announced that U.S. forces have hit Islamic State militant camps and operatives in Syria.
washingtonpost.com
December 10, 2024 at 7:17 AM
The US is considering removing Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an al-Qaeda offshoot, from its list of designated terrorist organizations. This comes after HTS led the offensive that ousted former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

(1/10)
December 10, 2024 at 7:17 AM
Amnesty’s call for accountability is clear: “All states with influence over Israel, particularly key arms suppliers like the USA and Germany, must act now to bring Israel’s atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza to an immediate end.” amnesty.org/en/latest/ne...

(12/12)
Amnesty International concludes Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza
Amnesty International’s research has found sufficient basis to conclude that Israel has committed and is continuing to commit genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip.
amnesty.org
December 6, 2024 at 7:30 PM
“It is the 430th day of the war, and Israel has been committing massacres and genocide since the first 10 days,” said Abu Anas Mustafa, a resident of Gaza, speaking at a funeral in Khan Younis.

(11/12)
December 6, 2024 at 7:30 PM