Hezbollah, Syrian regime battle rebels in northeast Lebanon- The Daily Star

HERMEL, Lebanon: Hezbollah and the Syrian regime tightened the noose on armed rebels fighting in the mountainous regions straddling the border between Lebanon and Syria, in a major push to uproot fighters opposed to the embattled Assad regime. Hezbollah fighters gained control of hills surrounding rebel hideouts in the border province of Qalamoun and in the mountains bordering Shiite villages in northeastern Lebanon, helping seal off food and ammunition supply lines to the stranded fighters, a security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Daily Star.

Most of the fighters belong to the Al-Qaeda affiliate, the Nusra Front, the security source said. But some of the fighters are believed to have pledged allegiance to the Al-Qaeda splinter group the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS), after its advances in Iraq.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jul-31/265551-hezbollah-syrian-regime-battle-rebels-in-northeast-lebanon.ashx

Nasrallah's nephew killed in Syria: reports- The Daily Star

BEIRUT: Hezbollah Chief Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah's nephew was killed in Syria during battles with rebel groups, media reports said Saturday.

The resistance group issued a statement, saying Hamzah Yassine from the southern town of Abbasieh was killed while performing his "Jihadist duty defending Holy sites."

Local media reports including Al-Mustaqbal newspaper said Yassine was the son of Nasrallah's sister.

Hezbollah, alongside regime troops, have been engaged in fierce battles with rebel groups including Nusra Front in Syria and along Lebanon's border since May of last year, when the party announced its military role in the war-torn country.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jul-26/265228-nasrallahs-nephew-killed-in-syria-reports.ashx

'Syrian troops beheaded' in Raqqa- Al-Jazeera

Fighters from the Islamic State group have killed at least 50 Syrian soldiers in an ambush in Syria’s northeast, summarily executing most of them after their capture, according to a monitoring group.

The reported deaths on Friday in Raqqa, a stronghold of the Islamic State group, came a day after the self-declared jihadist group launched an assault on the army's 17th Division.

The fighting has left 69 dead on the regime side, including the 50 soldiers, and killed 28 fighters, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported said.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/07/reports-syrian-troops-beheaded-raqqa-20147268024618783.html

Video released of slain U.S. jihadist in Syria- Al-Arabiya

Syria’s al-Qaeda affiliate has released a video of a U.S. suicide bomber who blew himself up at an army post in the northwest of the country in May, Agence France-Presse reported Saturday. 

Moner Mohammad Abu Salha, who went by the alias of Abu Hurayra al-Amriki, was believed to be the first American national to carry out such an attack in Syria.

“I want to rest in the afterlife, not in this world... My heart is not at peace here. Hopefully it will be in heaven,” Abu Hurayra says in broken Arabic in the video posted on YouTube on Friday by al-Nusra Front. It is not clear when the video was recorded. 

The 17-minute footage, released via al-Nusra’s official channel al-Manara al-Baydaa, also shows Abu Hurayra saying: “I came to Syria without money to buy a rifle or a pouch."

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/07/26/Al-Qaeda-releases-video-of-U-S-suicide-bomber-in-Syria-.html

Gunmen attack Lebanese army outpost in Ersal- Al-Akhbar

Militants attacked an army outpost at dawn Friday near the border town of Ersal, Lebanese state media reported.

Lebanon’s National News Agency said the two sides exchanged fire before the militants fled towards Syria.

No casualties were reported.

In March, a suicide bomber killed himself and three soldiers when he detonated a car bomb at an army checkpoint in Ersal.

http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/gunmen-attack-lebanese-army-outpost-ersal

Halep’te göçmenlerin yaşam mücadelesi- Rusya'nın Sesi

Suriye'deki çatışma ortamı, yüzbinlerce insanı göçe zorlamaya devam ediyor. Göç dalgasının en yoğun yaşandığı yerlerden biri de Halep. Gazeteci Hediye Levent, Halep'teki göçmen dramına mercek tutuyor...

Halep, Suriye’deki çatışmalardan en fazla zarar gören kentlerden. Kent banliyö ve kırsalındaki yüzbinlerce insan Halep merkeze, diğer kentlere ve başka ülkelere göç etmek zorunda kaldı. Halep merkeze göç edenlerden maddi durumu yeterli olanlar, kiraladıkları evlerde ve bazen birkaç aile ile aynı daireyi paylaşarak yaşıyor. Maddi durumu kötü olan göçmenler ise Halep Üniversitesi yurdunda, üniversite hastanesinde, okul binalarında barınıyor.

Gazeteci Hediye Levent, üniversite yurdu ve hastanesindeki göçmenlerle RS FM için görüştü.

Suriye’nin sanayi başkenti sayılan Halep, kent kırsalındaki tarım ve bahçecilik nedeniyle ülkenin en önemli ticaret merkezlerinden biriydi. 2012 yılında ülkedeki çatışmaların Halep’e sıçraması nedeniyle kentin banliyö ve kırsalından yüzbinlerce insan evini terk etmek zorunda kaldı. Yaşadıkları köylerden, mahallelerden göç eden Halepliler’in bir kısmı başka ülkelere gitti, bir kısmı Şam ve Lazkiye olmak üzere ülke içinde yer değiştirdi, bir kısmı da Halep kent merkezinde yaşamlarını sürdürmeye çalışıyor.

http://www.rsfmradio.com/2014_07_25/halep-gocmenler-yasam-mucadelesi/

İsrail'in gözünden Gazze- Al-Jazeera Turk

Gazze'de 650'den fazla Filistinliyi öldüren İsrail, bir yandan da saldırıları meşrulaştırmaya çalışıyor. İsrail ordusu Hamas üyelerinin saklandığını iddia ettiği yerlerin grafiğini yayınladı.

Gazze'de 8 Temmuz'da başlayan İsrail saldırılarında 650'den fazla Filistinli hayatını kaybetti. Ölenlerin neredeyse tamamı sivillerden oluşuyor.

İsrail, hava ve karadan düzenlediği bombardımanlarda sivil bölgeleri hedef alarak 170'den fazla çocuğu öldürdü. 

İsrailli siyasi liderler açıklamalarında Hamas tarafından kuşatma altında olduklarını söyleyerek, saldırıları Gazze'den fırlatılan roketler karşılığında İsrail'in kendini savunma hakkı olarak değerlendiriyor.

http://www.aljazeera.com.tr/haber/israilin-gozunden-gazze

Israel pounds Gaza amid renewed truce efforts- Al-Jazeera

Israeli forces have pounded multiple sites across the Gaza Strip, including the enclave's only power station, as diplomats intensified efforts to end the bloodshed.

Palestinian emergency services said that at least six people were killed and 20 injured early on Wednesday during prolonged bombardment of the southern town of Khan Younis.

Wednesday’s deaths bring the number of Palestinians killed during the 16-day Israeli assault on Gaza to 648, including scores of children. More than 4,000 people have been injured.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/07/israel-pounds-gaza-amid-renewed-truce-efforts-20147235222898366.html

UN's Navi Pillay warns of Israel Gaza 'war crimes'- BBC News

The UN's top human rights official has condemned Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip, saying that war crimes may have been committed.

Navi Pillay told an emergency debate at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that Israel's military offensive had not done enough to protect civilians.

She also condemned Hamas for "indiscriminate attacks" on Israel.

Israel launched its offensive on 8 July with the declared objective of stopping rocket fire from Gaza.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28437626

Syria army retakes strategic town in Hama province- PRESS TV

The Syrian army has regained full control of a strategic town in the western Hama province as government forces continue to gain new grounds in battles with foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants.

On Tuesday, Syrian army troops seized the town of Murk, situated some 200 kilometers (124 miles) north of the capital Damascus, and some nearby villages.

The takeover has reportedly cut off militants’ supply route between the restive provinces of Hama and Idlib. 

The Syrian army also conducted a successful clean-up operation against ISIL terrorists in the al-Shaer area, located in the desert region of Palmyra in Homs province, and restored stability and security to the area.

Moreover, foreign-backed militants have engaged in fierce clashes with Takfiri ISIL militants on the outskirts of Damascus.

According to reports released by the Syria media, tens of Jaish al-Islam militants were killed when an explosive-laden car went off in the city of Duma, located about 10 kilometers (6 miles) northeast of Damascus.

The Jaish al-Islam terrorist group has blamed the ISIL for the bombing.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/07/22/372367/syrian-army-troops-retake-strategic-town/

Activists: East Damascus hit by fiercest clashes in months- Al-Arabiya

Eastern Damascus was hit Tuesday by its fiercest fighting in months, a monitor said, as rebels stepped up a bid to break a siege and pro-regime forces tried to stop them.

The air force pounded the rebel-held eastern neighbourhood of Jobar, as opposition fighters launched mortars into army-held parts of Damascus, killing one person and wounding others, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

An AFP correspondent near the area said "very loud explosions could be heard starting late last night up until Tuesday afternoon."

Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said: "Starting dawn Tuesday, Jobar saw the fiercest fighting in months, coupled with intense aerial bombardment."

"Jobar is under army control, and the fighting is taking place on the neighbourhood's edges," he told AFP.

The air force carried out at least nine strikes on the neighbourhood, he said, adding rebels were fighting troops backed by pro-regime paramilitary forces.

Jobar, on the eastern edge of Damascus, is important because it is located at the entrance to the besieged, rebel-held Eastern Ghouta area on the outskirts of the capital.

It also neighbours Abbasiyeen, one Damascus' main squares where the army "deployed tanks... and shelled rebel areas of Jobar," said Abdel Rahman.

Fighting in the area has intensified following a relative lull for months, after rebels launched an offensive and took an army checkpoint in Jobar.

The army has since reclaimed the checkpoint.

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/07/23/Activists-East-Damascus-hit-by-fiercest-clashes-in-months-.html

Churkin condemns Isis attack on al-Shaer gas field in Homs- SANA

New York, SANA – Russia’s UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin condemned the terrorist attack of the al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis) against al-Shaer gas field in Homs.

Speaking at a Security Council meeting, Churkin cited this attack to stress all over again the importance that the Council’s President approve a Russia-proposed draft resolution on the illegality of purchasing oil from terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq.

He pointed out that the Russian draft affirms the principle of the countries having full control over the natural resources in their territories.
The Russian diplomat expressed his country’s deep concern over the increase of the extremists’ activities in Syria and the whole region, which he said is being transformed into a major hub for terrorist activities.

On the other hand, Churkin expressed Russia’s anger over the impudent threats of the terrorists to the members of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in Golan, calling upon all weapon suppliers, funders and trainers of terrorists to curb their activities.

http://www.sana.sy/en/?p=7777

Electricity Minister calls on Chinese companies to participate in rebuilding electricity sector in Syria- SANA

Damascus, SANA – Caretaker Electricity Minister Imad Khamis discussed Wednesday with Chinese Ambassador to Damascus Wang Kejian stalled contracts that were signed with Chinese companies and the means to overcome difficulties to implement them on time.

The Minister called on Chinese companies to participate in reconstructing the electricity sector in Syria.

Khamis affirmed Syria’s desire to develop relations with China and boosting cooperation in all fileds, particularly in the electricity sector which has the biggest amount of terrorist aggression and sabotage.

http://www.sana.sy/en/?p=7825

Army combs border for Syria infiltrators- The Daily Star

BEIRUT: Airborne troops conducted thorough searches along the eastern mountain range bordering Syria Wednesday, as part of measures to curb infiltration of the porous border by gunmen and arms.

The National News Agency (NNA) said the combing operations were carried out in the mountains east of Ras Baalbek and Fakiha, and to the north of Arsal, from dawn until midday.

“The troops, backed by the air force, searched hideouts which can be used by infiltrators and outlaws, including caves, hills, paths and side roads,” NNA said.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jul-23/264866-army-combs-border-for-syria-infiltrators.ashx

In Homs’ northern countryside, civilians live under fire- Al-Akhbar

There are no obstacles on the road leading to the village of Jabourin located on the demarcation line with Om Sharshouh, a village outside the control of the Syrian government, except for the rugged nature and sniper bullets. From Jabourin to Kfarnan, the last village held by the army in Homs’ countryside, civilians have to cope with living on the frontlines of a fierce battle, with the villages of Om Sharshouh, Talbissah, al-Ghanto, Ezzeddin, Rastan, and al-Houla on the other side.

Jabourin – The graveyard in the village of Jabourin reflects the attachment of the locals to their dead, who are visited night and day.

As you enter the village, you are struck by the sight of a young widower placing basil on the tomb of her late husband who was martyred. And as you leave, your steps are halted by the tears of a bereaved mother who has just visited the grave of her late son.

In this graveyard, adjacent to Tel Jabourin, in the middle of the village, new graves adorned with flowers and photos tell stories of great sorrow.

Jabourin is a village of 2,000 people, 90 of whom were martyred. Half of its residents have fled to the neighboring village of Tasnin and Jab al-Jandali neighborhood in downtown Homs, after al-Nusra fighters took over Om Sharshouh, located to the north of Jabourin in Homs’ countryside.

http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/homs%E2%80%99-northern-countryside-civilians-live-under-fire

The Remarkable Story Of A Rising Terrorism Analyst Who Got Too Close To His Subjects- BI

Aymenn Al Tamimi's career came apart in public last week.

The young terrorism analyst's sudden fall was due, in part, to the same factors that had made him one of the fastest rising stars in his field — his online connections and self-presentation to jihadists he was attempting to mine for information.

A recent graduate of Oxford University, the 21-year-old had become a widely-cited public authority on jihadist groups in Iraq and Syria while still completing his undergraduate studies.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/tamimi-2014-7

105 Suriyeli militan teslim oldu- YDH

YDH- El Alem, televizyonu Suriye’nin kuzeyindeki Haseke kentindeki 105 militanın silahlarını ve teçhizatları bırakarak güvenlik güçlerine teslim olduğunu bildirdi.

Genel af yasasından yararlanan militanların silahlı gruplarla bağlantılarını kestiklerine dair bir taahhütname imzalayarak ailelerine döndüğü açıklandı.

Suriye resmi haber ajansı SANA da Kunaytra Şam yolu üzerinde Suriye ordusu tarafından pusuya düşürülen çok sayıda militanın öldürüldüğünü bir kısmının ise sağ olarak ele geçirildiğini bildirdi.

http://www.ydh.com.tr/HD13031_105-suriyeli-militan-teslim-oldu.html

Toll mounts as Israel shells northern Gaza- Al-Jazeera

Israel has announced the deaths of two of its soldiers on the second day of a ground offensive into Gaza that it says is aimed at destroying Hamas' cross-border tunnels.

At least 34 Palestinians also died on Saturday, the second day of the Israeli ground invasion, as Israel intensified its shelling by tanks and artillery of the northern Gaza Strip.

Al Jazeera's John Hendren, reporting from Jerusalem, said the two soldiers were killed during an exchange of gunfire as they fought Palestinians in tunnels near the Israeli Gaza border.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/07/toll-mounts-as-israel-shells-northern-gaza-201471917958481424.html

Gaza conflict: Clashes at Paris Pro-Palestinian protest- BBC News

Pro-Palestinian protesters in France have clashed with police at a rally against Israel's action in Gaza.

Thousands took part in the protest in Paris, despite it being banned. Some threw stones and bottles at riot police, who responded with tear gas.

The ban was imposed after protesters attempted to storm two synagogues at a similar protest last week.

Israel launched ground operations in Gaza on Thursday, after air strikes failed to stop Hamas firing rockets.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28388457

Israel’s brutal war on Palestinian children- Al-Akhbar

Gaza – Ten-year-old Ahed was playing with his cousins on the beach at Gaza City harbor when three Israeli missiles hit them. Four cousins, including Ahed, were instantly killed, and two others were injured. Ten-year-old Zakaria, nine-year-old Ismail and 11-year-old Mohammed were killed by the Israeli navy missiles. The deadly incident of July 16 waswitnessed by NBC’s reporter in Gaza Ayman Mohyeldin.

Mohammed’s brother, Sayyid, survived the shelling. He said this was the first time they dared to leave the house to play on the beach since the Israeli aggression on Gaza started on July 8. It was the last time, too. “We negotiated what game to play, some wanted to play football, others wanted to play a fighting game [called] ‘Jews vs. Arabs’,” nine-year-old Sayyid told Al-Akhbar.

http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/israel%E2%80%99s-brutal-war-palestinian-children

ISIS in control of ‘35 percent’ of Syrian territory- Al-Arabiya

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is now in control of 35 percent of the Syrian territory following a string of victories, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Friday.

ISIS holdings include nearly all of Syria’s oil and gas fields, the monitoring group said in a statement.

One of the latest gains of the self-proclaimed “caliphate” was the seizure of the country’s biggest oil fields, in Deir el-Zour in eastern Syria, earlier in the week.

Deir Ezzor borders Homs province as well as Iraq, where the jihadist group has spearheaded a major Sunni militant offensive that has seen large swathes of territory fall out of the Baghdad government’s control.

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/07/19/270-Syrian-fighters-killed-in-biggest-ISIS-operation-.html

While Iraq burns, Isis takes advantage in Syria- BBC News

The Islamic State (Isis) may be many things, but foolish is not one of them.

While international attention has been fixated on the disintegration of Iraq and the expansion of the so-called caliphate of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Sunni insurgents have moved their offensive back into Syria with a newly acquired haul of US-made weapons and cash.

Cushioned by the impunity offered them by a largely unresponsive international community, and the inability of the Syrian and Iraqi armies to defeat them in battle, Isis' latest advances in Syria have further destabilised the already frail dynamics in the region.

As Bashar al-Assad attended his de-facto self-coronation affording him another seven years in power, Isis was making a mockery of the president's pledge to "not stop fighting terrorism and striking it wherever it is until we restore security to every spot of Syria".

In addition to Isis, Syria's Kurds have also been busy establishing their own cantons of self-governance, backed by their militia force, the People's Protection Units (YPG). But as their control over Kurdish areas of Syria has strengthened, it has brought them into fierce conflict with Isis.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28347456

“Terörü destekleyenler ağır bedel ödeyecek”- YDH

YDH-Suriye Cumhurbaşkanı Beşşar Esed, cumhurbaşkanlığı seçimlerinin sadece siyasi sürecin uygulanması değil aynı zamanda Suriye halkının düşmanlarına verdiği bir cevap olduğunu söyledi.

Suriye halkının demokrasiyi en güzel şekilde uyguladığını belirten Cumhurbaşkanı Esed’in konuşmasından çarpıcı bölümlerin çevirisini sunuyoruz.

Sizler fitneye karşı durdunuz, fitne rüzgarlarının aklınızı ve kalbinizi etkilemesine izin vermediniz. “Allahu Ekber” sloganını dillerine doladılar. Allah onlardan büyüktü; çünkü Allah haktır ve hak halkın yanındadır. Geçen yıllar boyunca onlar sadece konuştu; siz ise iş yaptınız. Onlar yaşanan olayları devrim diye göstermeye çalıştı; halbuki gerçek devrimci sizdiniz.

Savaşın ve egemenliğin her çeşidini eliyle ve diliyle çıkmaza sokan Suriye halkına selam olsun. Başkaları tarafından silahlandırılanlara doğru sözü söyleyerek savaş dayatanları sıkıntıya soktunuz.  Savaşı başarısız kılan Suriye halkına selam olsun.

Bu halk güçlü duruşuyla her şeyi değiştirdi. Onlar her türlüm alçakça aracı kullandılar ama sizin çıkarlarınızı ve haklarınızı desteklediklerine sizi ikna edemediler, sonuçta beyinlerinizi yıkamakta ve iradelerinizi kırmakta başarısız oldular.

http://www.ydh.com.tr/HD13008_teroru-destekleyenler-agir-bedel-odeyecek.html

Syria President Bashar al-Assad sworn in for third term- BBC News

Bashar al-Assad has been sworn in for a third seven-year term as president of Syria, after an election last month that opponents dismissed as a "farce".

State television broadcast what it said was a live ceremony from the presidential palace in Damascus.

Mr Assad vowed to fight "terrorism" until security was restored to all of the country, but also promised to offer "national reconciliation" to opponents.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28328138

President Bashar al-Assad sworn in for a new term- SANA

Damascus, SANA – President Bashar al-Assad was sworn in Wednesday before the members of the People’s Assembly.

Following the swearing in, the President delivered a speech in which he first saluted the Syrian people, calling them “honorable” and “free”.

He reminded how, throughout the crisis in Syria, which is now in its forth year, some have spoken on behalf of the Syrian people repeating the slogan “The People Want.”

“Yes, the people did want, the people did make their decision, the people did act,” the President said.

“Years have passed since some chanted for freedom, but you, the Syrians, were the freemen at the time of subordination, and you were the masters at the time of acting,” he added.

He applauded the Syrian people for having practiced democracy at its best by choosing “your constitution, parliament and president. Thus the choice was yours and democracy was of your making.”

The President also hailed the Syrians’ firm steadfastness as they have refused to bow, surrender or give up to those who shouted that “they won’t kneel down but to God”.

“Rather you held fast to their homeland and believed in an only God…When they said ‘God is Great’, God was greater than them and those who stood by them because God is on the side of the right and the right is one the side of the people ,” the President said.

The President dismissed everything those said or did in the name of the Syrian people as mere “talk” and “illusion”, lauding the Syrians for having done the acting and made the fact on the ground.

“They wanted it a revolution, but you have been the real revolutionaries,” he said.

http://www.sana.sy/en/?p=6859

Bashar al-Assad sworn in for new term as Syrian president- The Telegraph

State TV broadcast what it said was a live ceremony from the presidential palace in Damascus, during which Assad took the oath of office.

He was seen placing his hand on Islam's holy book, the Qur'an, pledging to honour the country's constitution in front of a large audience of members of parliament and Muslim and Christian clergymen.

Assad was re-elected last month in a landslide victory amid a civil war, in a vote dismissed by the opposition and its Western allies as a sham.

He won 88.7 per cent of the ballots cast in Syria's first multi-candidate elections in decades, but no voting took place in areas where there is heavy fighting.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10971214/Bashar-al-Assad-sworn-in-for-new-term-as-Syrian-president.html

Assad: West, Arabs will pay "high price" for backing rebels- Al-Akhbar

President Bashar al-Assad, who was sworn in for a new term on Wednesday, said Western and Arab states that have supported "terrorism" will pay a "high price" and that he would fight insurgents until security was restored to the whole country.

"Soon we will see that the Arab, regional and Western states that supported terrorism will pay a high price," he told his supporters at the presidential palace.

Assad was sworn in for a new seven-year term on on live TV, after his victory in an election that affirmed his grip on power more than three years into Syria's war.

Dismissed as a sham by Assad's opponents, the vote was held in June in areas of central and northern Syria that remain under state control.

Large areas of Syria have fallen to an insurgency dominated by Islamists, including a powerful al-Qaeda offshoot known as the Islamic State that has also seized swathes of Iraq.

Assad, supported by Russia and Iran, has defied calls by Western states for him to step aside during the conflict that started in 2011 with protests against his rule before descending into a war that has killed at least 170,000 people.

Assad has shored up his control over a strategic corridor of territory stretching north from Damascus, taking back major cities including Homs. Backed by Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, his forces are now squeezing rebels in Aleppo.

But to the east and northeast, large parts of the country are in insurgents' hands. The militant Islamic State has expanded its control in recent weeks, defeating other Islamist factions with new weaponry brought in from Iraq.

The United States, which has repeatedly said he has lost legitimacy, had described the election as meaningless.

http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/assad-be-sworn-seven-year-term

Two rockets strike eastern Lebanon- Al-Akhbar

Suspected Syrian rebels fired two rockets towards eastern Lebanon on Wednesday, causing no casualties, state media reported.

Lebanon’s National News Agency said the rockets, which coincided with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad’s inauguration speech, landed near the towns of Britel and Taybeh.

The rocket attacks, targeting villages in Lebanon seen as sympathetic to Hezbollah, which is fighting alongside Syrian government forces, are usually claimed by jihadi groups.

But the cross-border attacks have drastically decreased since mid-March when the Syrian army and Hezbollah forces retook the Qalamoun mountain range along the Lebanese border, from where rebels typically fire the rockets.

http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/two-rockets-strike-eastern-lebanon

Al-Jaafari: Some countries want to reopen communication channels with Syria- SANA

Beirut, SANA- Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari said some countries began to change their stances and seek reopening communication channels and security cooperation with Damascus as the number of borders-crossing terrorists and the threat they pose on all countries increased, including the countries which terrorists come from, cross through, and end up in.

In an interview with al-Binaa Newspaper on Wednesday, al-Jaafari said that some countries are trying to use the terms “foreign fighters”, “insurgents”, “rebels” or “jihadists” to avoid admitting the true nature of those terrorists, adding that Syria’s geopolitical location has always set it in the face of grave challenges, and that what Syria is facing now has a very minor internal aspect compared to its regional and international dimensions.

Al-Jaafari said that certain countries are still obstinate in their aggressive approach towards Syria which serves their schemes and Israel’s interests in the region.

He said the UN Secretariat and its Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, have overlooked facts, and that in his reports, Ban has repeatedly considered terrorist groups linked to Al Qaeda and listed as terrorist organizations like the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Jabhet al-Nusra as armed Syrian opposition, citing Ban as saying in his report on the implementation of resolution No 2139 that “The UN is unable to provide concrete data on the presence of non-Syrian terrorists on Syrian soil.”

http://www.sana.sy/en/?p=6936

Israel's real purpose in Gaza operation? To kill Arabs (Gideon Levy- Haaretz)

Since the first Lebanon war over 30 years ago, Israel's main strategy has been killing Arabs. The current atrocious war in Gaza is no different.

The goal of Operation Protective Edge is to restore the calm; the means: killing civilians. The slogan of the Mafia has become official Israeli policy. Israel sincerely believes that if it kills hundreds of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, quiet will reign. It is pointless to destroy the weapons stores of Hamas, which has already proved capable of rearmament. Bringing down the Hamas government is an unrealistic (and illegitimate) goal, one that Israel does not want: It is aware that the alternative could be much worse. That leaves only one possible purpose for the military operation: death to Arabs, accompanied by the cheering of the masses.

The Israel Defense Forces already has a “map of pain,” a diabolical invention that has replaced the no less diabolical “bank of targets,” and that map is spreading at a sickening pace. Watch Al Jazeera English, a balanced and professional television channel (unlike its Arabic sister station), and see the extent of its success. You won’t see it in Israel’s “open” broadcast studios, which as usual are only open to the Israeli victim, but on Al Jazeera you will see the whole truth, and perhaps you will even be shocked.

http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.604653

IŞİD Kürt köylerini ele geçirdi- Al-Jazeera Turk

YPG ile IŞİD üyeleri arasında çatışmaların sürdüğü Suriye'nin kuzeyindeki Kobani bölgesinde IŞİD güçleri çok sayıda Kürt köyünü ele geçirdi. Türkiye sınırına yakın bölgede çatışmalar sürüyor.

Bölgedeki Al Jazeera kaynakları, YPG ve Irak Şam İslam Devleti (IŞİD) mensupları arasında Suriye'nin kuzeyinde, Türkiye sınırına yakın konumdaki Kobani bölgesinde şiddetli çatışmalar yaşandığını aktardı.

IŞİD, Cerablus bölgesinde cumartesi günü ele geçirdiği Carikli koyu ile birlikte son bir haftada 8 köyü ele geçirdi.

Zormagar, Beyadiyye, Ziyara, Cibne, Hacı Ismail, Katas, Cibne son saldırılarda IŞİD'in ele geçirdiği köyler.

http://www.aljazeera.com.tr/haber/isid-kurt-koylerini-ele-gecirdi 

Syrian rebel commander assassinated in Jordan: police- Reuters

(Reuters) - A Syrian rebel commander has been shot dead in the Jordanian capital in the first such incident on the kingdom's territory since the start of the conflict in Syria in 2011, a police source said on Saturday.

Maher Rahal, 27, who headed the Liwa al-Mujahideen Brigade, one of dozens of rebel formations battling President Bashar al-Assad's forces in southern Syria, was shot five times in a residential area of the capital late on Friday.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/12/us-syria-crisis-jordan-assassination-idUSKBN0FH0SP20140712

Rockets from Lebanon hit n. Israel- The Daily Star

TYRE, Lebanon: Three rockets fired from south Lebanon hit northern Israel, triggering retaliatory artillery fire on the Lebanese border village of Zebqin, a security source told The Daily Star Saturday.

Sirens resounded across the Israeli region of Nahariya after three rockets were fired from the valley of Qulayleh in south Lebanon. The incident came one day after rockets were fired on Israel from the southern region of Hasbaya.   

Israel swiftly responded with artillery fire on Zebqin and Qulayleh in the Tyre region. The area houses two Palestinian refugee camps Bass and Rashidieh. 

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2014/Jul-12/263663-rockets-fired-on-israel-from-s-lebanon.ashx

Fatal attraction: foreigners who fight in Syria- The National

MARSEILLE, FRANCE // One, a bright student from Wales, wanted to be the first Asian prime minister of Britain.

Another, a product of the forbidding Parisian suburbs, was making something of his life with a family and good job. Others were initially driven by humanitarian concerns, anxious to help those in peril and distress.

All ended up as combatants in Syria’s civil war, which has become a magnet for global Islamist extremists for whom the overthrow of Bashar Al Assad’s regime would be just a start.

In many countries of the West, the magnet has proved powerful, with thousands of impressionable young people answering a call they typically encounter on the internet.

Read more: http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/fatal-attraction-foreigners-who-fight-in-syria

UN expected to vote Monday to speed aid to Syria- The Daily Star

UNITED NATIONS: Sponsors of a U.N. resolution that would authorize cross-border delivery of humanitarian aid to Syrians in desperate need of food and medicine finalized the text ahead of a Security Council vote expected Monday.

The final draft, obtained Friday by the Associated Press, would authorize U.N. agencies and aid organizations that assist them to use routes across conflict lines and four border crossings - two in Turkey, one in Iraq and one in Jordan - for 180 days in addition to those already in use to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Russia, Syria's closest ally, is not expected to block approval of the resolution, said diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because the talks were private.

U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos told the council two weeks ago that using the border crossings could reach approximately 1.3 million people who have not received aid.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Jul-12/263629-un-expected-to-vote-monday-to-speed-aid-to-syria.ashx

Al-Nusra Front not yet dead as its emir devises “Islamic Emirate of the Levant”- Al-Akhbar

It has been revealed that the emir of al-Nusra Front Abu Mohammed al-Joulani is leading efforts, with direct support from Saudi cleric Sheikh Abdullah Mohaisany, to reorganize and reinvigorate his group. Leaked audio recordings have unveiled a plan by al-Nusra to establish an Islamic Emirate of the Levant. The recording, which sheds light on dramatic new aspects of the “jihadi civil war,” has since been taken down.

Two minutes and twenty seconds is all that remains of the proclamation of the Emirate of the Levant by the leader of al-Nusra Front Abu Mohammed Joulani. The audio recording has been deleted from the websites that had posted the full version, with al-Nusra sources rushing to stress that any statement that is not issued by al-Manara al-Baidaa [the White Lighthouse] institution or any other official al-Nusra Front body is not to be treated as authentic.

http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/al-nusra-front-not-yet-dead-its-emir-devises-islamic-emirate-levant%E2%80%9D

Lebanon’s only public university latest victim of the sectarian system- Al-Akhbar

The sectarian quota system is more important than public interest. The Phalange Party wants to appoint two deans at the Lebanese University. The Progressive Socialist Party insists on choosing the dean of the Faculty of Medicine, while the Free Patriotic Movement considers this post part of the Christian share in the sectarian quota system.

Tenured professors at the Lebanese University (LU) blocked Riad al-Solh Square. They stood for long hours under the scorching sun, threw eggs at the Grand Serail (Government Palace) and even tried to cross the barbed wire. They also said they will continue in their open-ended strike and will not announce exam results for about 72,000 students.

All this, however, made no difference to the ministers who, once again, postponed until next week both issues – approving full-time contracts and appointing deans to the university council. The reason is their continued disagreement over their shares in the abhorrent quota system, which is threatening to shut down the university.

http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/lebanon%E2%80%99s-only-public-university-latest-victim-sectarian-system

Rockets fired from Lebanon strike Israeli occupied territories- Al-Akhbar

Three rockets were fired from southern Lebanon towards Israeli occupied territory on Friday and Israel's army responded with artillery fire, Lebanon's military said, adding it was unclear who was behind the initial attack.

In the past, militants linked to al-Qaeda have claimed such attacks.

The rockets were fired from the Marjayoun -- Hasbaya area towards occupied Palestinian territories, a statement from Lebanon's army said. The projectiles were launched in the hours before dawn.

The army said it discovered two missile platforms with more rockets ready for launch after searching the area. It had dismantled them and was continuing to sweep the area for the culprits.

There have been several exchanges across the border in the past year.

In December, rockets launched from Lebanon struck Israeli occupied territories, provoking a response across a border that had been largely quiet since a war in 2006. In August, the Abdullah Azzam Brigades, an organization linked to al-Qaeda claimed a rocket barrage from Lebanon.

http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/rockets-fired-lebanon-strike-israeli-occupied-territories

Barzani: İki yolda ilerleyeceğiz- Al-Jazeera Turk

Kürt yönetimi lideri Mesud Barzani, ABD Dışişleri Bakanlığı Irak Temsilcisi'ne, hem sahada ortaya çıkan yeni gerçeklere paralel olarak siyasi çözüme katılacaklarını hem de kendi kaderlerini tayin için çalışacaklarını söyledi.

http://www.aljazeera.com.tr/haber/barzani-iki-yolda-ilerleyecegiz

İslami Cephe’den IŞİD’e katılan birliklerine sert uyarı- YDH

YDH-Muhaliflere ait Zaman el-Visal’in haberine göre Sukuru’ş Şam Tugayı Komutanı, internette yayımlanan mesajında İdlib’deki IŞİD taraftarlarını boyun eğip en geç 12 saat içinde silahlarını teslim etmeye çağırdı.

İslami Cephe geçen hafta, IŞİD tarafından kurulan halifeliği geçersiz saymıştı.

http://ydh.com.tr/HD13000_islami-cepheden-iside-katilan-birliklerine-sert-uyari.html

Sınıra PYD bayrağı astılar- DHA

MARDİN'in Kızıltepe İlçesi'ndeki Şenyurt Sınır Kapısı'nın hemen karşısına Suriye'de Kürtler'in yaşadığı Rojava bölgesindeki Demokratik Birlik Partisi'nin (PYD) bayrağı asıldı.

Kızıltepe İlçesi'nin Suriye sınırındaki Şenyurt Sınır Kapısı'nın hemen karşısında ve PYD'nin kontrolündeki Cizire Kantonu’na bağlı Dırbesiye Sınır Kapısı'nda daha önce indirilen PYD bayrağı bir kez daha asıldı. Giriş çıkışların kontrollü sağlandığı ve sadece ülkelerine gitmek isteyen Suriyeliler'e açık olan sınır kapısındaki PYD Bayrağı'nın dün gece asıldığı öğrenildi. Şenyurt Sınır Kapısı'ndaki Türk bayrağının hemen karşısına asılan PYD bayrağı Türkiye tarafından rahatlıklı görülüyor.

http://www.dha.com.tr/sinira-pyd-bayragi-astilar_715997.html