"And I have found both freedom and safety in my madness, the freedom of loneliness and the safety from being understood, for those who understand us enslave something in us. But let me not be too proud of my safety. Even a Thief in a jail is safe from another thief. "

Khalil Gibran (How I Became a Madman)

Lübnan Marunîleri / Yasin Atlıoğlu

NEWS AND ARTICLES / HABERLER VE MAKALELER

Thursday, May 04, 2017

Antiquities and Museums Director: 250 archaeological buildings in Old City of Aleppo documented- SANA

Damascus, SANA – Director General for Antiquities and Museums Ma’moun Abdul-Kareem affirmed on Thursday the documentation of 250 archaeological buildings in the Old City of Aleppo by experts and cadres of the Directorate as part of the integrated plans for the rehabilitation of the city- listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site- and the restoration of damage caused by the activities of the terrorist organizations.
In a statement to SANA, Abdul-Kareem said that as a result of the real assessment of the damage caused to archaeological sites in the Old City of Aleppo, about 40% of the city’s ruins suffer minor damage and are in good condition, 30 % sustained medium damage, while the rest were severely damaged, especially concerning the facade of Aleppo Citadel, the Carlton Building, al-Saraya, the Khusruwiyah School and the al-Hatab Square.
“About 60% of the archaeological markets in Aleppo are devastated and in a catastrophic situation,” he said.
He pointed out that the Directorate, in coordination with the governorate of Aleppo and the ministries of Awqaf (Religious Endowments) and Tourism, is carrying out emergency work first and assessing the damage to adopt a comprehensive national plan to restore the city of Aleppo, taking into account the scientific rules and identity of the city, in accordance with the conditions of international rules implemented by the UNESCO and international organizations.
He affirmed that the Directorate relocated a large part of the antiquities from the Palmyra Museum to safe places in Damascus a few days before ISIS attack on 21/5/ 2015, adding that when ISIS attacked the city of Palmyra for the second time, the museum was completely empty of antiquities except for 4 or 5 large pieces.
He revealed that 89 pieces of antiquities that had been earlier stolen by terrorist organizations from inside Syria and smuggled abroad have been retrieved.
He expressed his optimism about the ability of the concerned parties Syria, in cooperation with the international organizations, particularly the Interpol and the UNESCO, to restore archaeological artifacts that have been smuggled abroad by resorting to judicial or diplomatic means in the future, pointing out to the international resolutions issued in this regard, including the new UN Security Council resolution no.2347 for 2017 on criminalizing any sabotage or smuggle of the world cultural heritage.

Brief jihadist offensive in northern Hama ends with big losses, no gains- Al-Masdar News

BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:05 P.M.) – The jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham launched a surprise offensive in the Wadi Al-Adib area of northern Hama on Thursday morning, the National Defense Forces (NDF) of Mhardeh reported this afternoon.
Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham and their jihadist allies attempted to reclaim the territory they lost to the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) a few weeks back in northern Hama; however, this assault would not only net no gains for the militants, but they would also lose many fighters in the attempt.
According to a military source in northern Hama, the jihadist rebels abandoned their offensive shortly after launching the attack on Wadi Al-Adib; this was due to the fact they suffered heavy casualties in the first minutes of the assault.

Wednesday, May 03, 2017

Suriye Dışişleri: Moskova’nın 4 güvenli bölge teklifini destekliyoruz- Sputnik News

Suriye Dışişleri Bakanlığı, "Rusya’nın Suriye'de gerilimi düşürmeye yönelik yönelik 4 bölgenin oluşturulması teklifini destekliyoruz" dedi.

Suriye Dışişleri Bakanlığı, Rusya’nın tansiyonu düşürmeye yönelik 4 bölge oluşturulması teklifini desteklediklerini ve ateşkes yükümlülüklerini teyit ettiklerini açıkladı.
Suriye Dışişleri Bakanlığı’nın açıklamasında, “Suriye halkının akan kanını durdurma namına, Suriye halkının huzurlu yaşama geri dönmesine yardımcı olacak tüm tekliflere hazırız. Suriye Arap Cumhuriyeti, gerilimi düşürmeye yönelik 4 bölgenin oluşturulması teklifini destekliyor ve 30 Aralık 2016 tarihli ateşkes anlaşmasına uymayı taahhüt ediyor” dendi.

Rusya: Suriye’deki ateşkesin etkisinin artması için çalışmalarımız sürüyor- Sputnik News

Astana'daki Suriye barış görüşmelerinde Rus heyete başkanlık eden Rusya Devlet Başkanlığı Özel Temsilcisi Aleksandr Lavrentyev, Suriye’de 4 güvenlik bölgesinin oluşturulmasına yönelik belgenin üzerinde çalışmaların sürdüğünü, belgenin yarın devam edecek görüşmelerde imzalanmak için hazır hale getirilmeye çalışıldığını belirtti.

Kazakistan'ın başkenti Astana'da bugün başlayan Suriye barış görüşmelerinde Rus heyete başkanlık eden Rusya Devlet Başkanlığı Özel Temsilcisi Aleksandr Lavrentyev, Moskova’nın Suriye’deki ateşkesin etkisini artırmak için çaba harcadığını ve bu doğrultuda ülkede 4 güvenlik bölgesinin oluşturulmasını önerdiğini açıkladı.
Lavrentiyev, “Rusya, Suriye barış sürecinin geliştirilmesi için çaba harcıyor, ateşkesin daha etkili bir şekilde devam etmesi için çeşitli şemalar geliştiriyor. Bu çalışmalar doğrultusunda Rusya, Suriye’de güvenlik bölgelerinin oluşturulmasını önerdi. Böylelikle eskiden beri var olan Suriyeli ılımlı muhalifleri terörist örgütlerden ayırma sorununda gerçek bir gelişme kaydedilebilir ve bu sayede Suriyeli silahlı muhalifler ile hükümet güçleri arasındaki çatışmaları önemli ölçüde azalabilir” dedi.

Putin-Erdogan meeting round-up- TASS

Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan agree Russia-Turkey relations have returned to their normal level.


SOCHI, May 3. /TASS/. The period of restoring relations between Russia and Turkey after the crisis has been completed and they have returned to their normal level, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.



"Some time ago, our bilateral relations [between Russia and Turkey] were tested for their strength," the Russian leader said at a press conference after negotiations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.






Diplomat: De-escalation zones in Syria may help separate opposition from terrorists- TASS


Moscow hopes the Syrian armed opposition will attend talks in Kazakhstan’s Astana on May 4.

ASTANA, May 3. /TASS/. De-escalation zones in Syria will help break the impasse in separating moderate opposition from terrorists, said Presidential Special Representative for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev, the head of Russia’s delegation at the intra-Syrian talks in Astana.

"For improving the work (on a ceasefire - TASS), Russia came up forward with a proposal to set up so-called de-escalation zones in Syria," he said. "We believe that this might help set into motion the lingering problem of separating Syrian moderate opposition from terrorist organizations, primarily Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra (outlawed in Russia) and will help scale down the level of military confrontation between Syrian armed opposition and government forces."



"We are carrying out work and are ready to get in contact with Syrian armed opposition. Our Turkish counterparts are working with them since they share the opinion that the opposition should participate in negotiations," the diplomat said. "If the opposition believes there are some problems, they should be solved. So we hope that common sense will prevail and Mr. al-Alloush (Mohammad al-Alloush, the armed opposition’s head - TASS) and other leaders will appear at plenary meetings on May 4 after all."





Berri to Lawmakers: Parliament Term Extension 'Impossible'- Naharnet

Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated on Wednesday that an extension of the parliament's term is “absolutely impossible.”
Addressing lawmakers during his Wednesday meeting with deputies in Ain el-Tineh, he said: “Rest assured, I speak on behalf of the council. A parliament mandate extension is absolutely inconceivable.
“My words are also addressed at those who accuse us of seeking an extension,” he added.
The Speaker stressed the need to agree on a new voting system for Lebanon's parliamentary elections, he said: “We have to reach an agreement on a new law for the polls."
In April President Michel Aoun invoked his constitutional powers to adjourn the parliament for one month to give the legislators time to craft a new election law and hold the elections as quickly as possible.
Lebanon's deputies were set to vote in parliament to postpone national elections and extend their term for a third time since 2013.
A parliament session is set to be held on May 15.

Aoun Draws to Burden of Refugees, Demands Syria Political Solution- Naharnet

President Michel Aoun pointed out to the negative implications as the result of refugees influx into Lebanon, media reports said on Wednesday.
Aoun drew before his visitors to the negative repercussions of the number of displaced people in Lebanon and stressed that Lebanon wants a political solution to the Syrian crisis, said the reports.
The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said in a report that the number of refugees who have fled the civil war in Syria since it broke out in 2011, now exceeds five million.
There are more than 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Lebanon. The government estimates the true number to be 1.5 million.

Peskov: Erdoğan'ın Suriye'nin toprak bütünlüğü konusunda güvence vermesi önemli- Sputnik News

Kremlin Sözcüsü Dmitriy Peskov, Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan'ın Suriye'nin toprak bütünlüğünün korunmasına bağlı kalacaklarına ilişkin verdiği güvencenin önemli olduğunu belirtti.

Erdoğan'ın Soçi'de Rusya Devlet Başkanı Vladimir Putin'le yaptığı görüşmede Ankara'nın Suriye'nin toprak bütünlüğü konusuna bağlı kalacağına ilişkin güvence verdiğini aktaran Peskov, bunun önem taşıdığını vurguladı.
'ÇATIŞMASIZLIK BÖLGELERİ FİKRİ DAHA YENİ TARTIŞILMAYA BAŞLANDI'
Öte yandan Suriye'de çatışmasızlık bölgeleri oluşturulması fikrinin daha yeni tartışılmaya başlandığını kaydeden Peskov, konuyla ilgili kararın kısa sürede alınmasını umduklarını söyledi.

Putin: I discussed de-escalation zones in Syria with Trump, Erdogan- RT

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he has discussed introducing de-escalation zones in Syria with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during talks in Sochi on Wednesday and with US President Donald Trump in a phone call the previous day.
Consultations with Tehran and Damascus have also been held on the issue, Putin said.
"For the development of the political process [in Syria], a ceasefire must be provided... Russia, Turkey and Iran have all the time been thinking of how to secure this practice of a ceasefire. One of the methods is creating safe zones, or de-escalation zones," Putin said on Wednesday during a joint press conference with Turkish President Erdogan in Sochi.
Moscow has already conducted "preliminary consultations" with Damascus and Tehran on the matter, Putin said, adding that the issue has also been discussed with US President Trump, who appears to support the idea of safe zones.
"We all reason from [a position] that mechanisms to guarantee the end of bloodshed and provision for the beginning of a political dialogue must be created," the Russian president said, adding that Turkey also fully supports this position.
However, the different sides in the Syrian conflict should themselves make "the final decision," Putin added.
"In the end, only they are in charge of their country's fate. On our side, we – Russia, Turkey and Iran – as guarantors of a ceasefire, will make everything for such mechanisms to improve and be efficient," he told the media.

Muhalifler Astana'ya katılımı askıya aldı- Al-Jazeera Turk

Suriyeli muhalifler, ülkede şiddeti azaltmayı ve kırılgan ateşkesi güçlendirmeyi amaçlayan Astana görüşmelerinin bugün başlayan dördüncü turuna katılımı askıya aldı. Gerekçe; rejimin birçok bölgeye yönelik bombardımanının devam etmesi.

Kazakistan'ın başkenti Astana'da 4'üncü turu düzenlenen Suriye görüşmeleri başladı. Görüşmelere garantör ülkeler Rusya, Türkiye ve İran katılıyor. Önce toplantılara katılma kararını alan muhalifler, rejimin bombardımanının devam etmesini gerekçe göstererek katılımı askıya aldı. Rejimin heyetine Beşşar Caferi başkanlık ediyor. BM Suriye Özel Temsilcisi Staffan de Mistura ile ABD ve Ürdün’ün temsilcileri de gözlemci sıfatıyla görüşmelere katılıyor.

Görüşmeler iki gün sürecek. İlk günde taraflar arasında ikili ve üçlü toplantılar yapılacak. İkinci gün yani Perşembe ise tüm tarafların aynı masa etrafında oturacağı kapanış oturumu gerçekleştirilecek.

Rusya’nın ‘güvenli bölgeler’ önerisini taraflara iletmesi bekleniyordu. Ancak muhaliflerin kararının ardından bu durum şimdilik belirsiz hale geldi.

Teknik görüşmeler yapıldı

Garantör ülkelerden uzmanlar, Salı günü Astata’da teknik görüşmeler gerçekleştirmişti.

Türkiye heyeti, Rusya ve İran heyetleriyle ayrı ayrı ikili görüşmeler gerçekleştirdi. Başer Caferi'nin başkanlığındaki Suriye rejimi heyeti de İran heyetiyle bir araya gelmişti...

Astana süreci

Astana toplantılarının ilki, Türkiye ve Rusya garantörlüğünde 23-24 Ocak'ta düzenlenmişti.

İki ülke garantörlüğünde 30 Aralık 2016'da ilan edilen ateşkesin güçlendirilmesi gündemiyle toplanan heyetler, ateşkesi izlemek için İran'ın da dâhil olduğu üçlü mekanizma kurulması konusunda anlaşmıştı.

6 Şubat'ta yalnızca garantör ülkelerin katıldığı toplantıda izleme mekanizmasına ilişkin teknik detaylar ele alınmıştı.

15-16 Şubat'taki ikinci toplantıda, muhalifler ve rejim heyetleri de dâhil tüm taraflar, ateşkesi güçlendirmek için yeniden bir araya gelirken muhalifler, 14-15 Mart'ta düzenlenen 3'üncü tur görüşmelere katılmadı. Bu turda İran resmi garantör olarak sürece katılmıştı.


Erdogan on Talks With Putin: 'Syria is the Most Important Topic'- Sputnik News

The Turkish leader said he considered Syria to be the topical issue of his upcoming talks with the Russian president.

ANKARA (Sputnik) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope on Wednesday that discussion of Syrian reconciliation as part of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin later in the day would be productive.

Tuesday, May 02, 2017

Iran to continue sending military advisers to Syria: Guards commander- Reuters

Iran will provide military advisers to Syria for as long as necessary in support of President Bashar al Assad's forces, a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards was quoted on Tuesday as saying.

Iran has provided military support to Assad's forces since at least 2012, but initially did not comment publicly on its role. But as the military support increased and Iranian casualties also rose, officials began to speak more openly.

"The advisory help isn't only in the field of planning but also on techniques and tactics," the Fars news agency quoted Mohammad Pakpour, head of the Revolutionary Guard ground forces, as saying. "And because of this the forces have to be present on the battlefield."

"We will continue our advisory help as long as they (the Syrians) need it," he added.

An Iranian official said late last year that more than 1,000 Iranians had been killed in the Syrian civil war. These include a handful of senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guards, according to Iranian media reports.

Iran has helped to train and organize thousands of Shi'ite militia fighters from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan in the Syrian conflict. Fighters from Lebanon's Hezbollah are also working closely with Iranian military commanders in Syria.  

Will Lebanon's president keep parliament from 're-electing' itself?- Al-Monitor


To some legislators' consternation but to no one's real surprise, Lebanon's parliamentary elections have been delayed yet again for at least three months.


On April 12, the day before parliament was scheduled to meet, President Michel Aoun invoked Article 59 of the Lebanese Constitution, which allows him to postpone a parliamentary session for one month. He may do so once during the legislative term.
Speaker Nabih Berri had called for the session to discuss extending parliament’s term, as members failed to agree on a new electoral law before a constitutional deadline expired. Aoun wants a new law implemented before elections are held for parliament, whose term ends June 21. He doesn't want the legislature to extend its own term without elections, which he considers illegal, but he also doesn't want a legislative vacuum. However, the constitution requires that voters be given 90 days to prepare for an election, so — because of repeated delays — one now can't be scheduled before August at the earliest.
In a televised speech, Aoun addressed the Lebanese people, saying, “I have warned repeatedly against the extension since it is unconstitutional and will definitely not be the path toward the recovery of the government and its authorities and institutions on a sound constitutional basis.”
Minutes after Aoun announced his decision, Berri set another session for May 15. In the meantime, Lebanese political forces continue their quest to agree on an electoral law by then. Simon Abi Ramia, a member of parliament's Change and Reform bloc, told Al-Monitor that despite differences between the parties, political forces seek to agree on a new electoral law and his political bloc will strive to prevent a parliamentary extension by all means.
Aoun wants to replace the contested 1960 Electoral Law, which is based on a majoritarian (winner-take-all) district electoral system with limited exceptions. That law allows Muslim leaders to select Christian parliament members in some constituencies. Aoun, a Maronite Christian, along with Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, are insisting on a "total proportionality" system, while others want either a hybrid law or the majoritarian system.




Bassil Slams Those who 'Reject Vote on Electoral Law' and 'Accept Vote on Extension'- Naharnet

Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil on Tuesday criticized political parties who have rejected a cabinet vote on a new electoral law “although they have accepted to vote for illegitimate extension” in parliament.
“No to extension, no to vacuum and no to the 1960 law, and yes to a new law conforming to the National Pact,” Bassil said after the weekly meeting of the Change and Reform bloc.
“We are not clinging to any law and we are open to several laws, topped by the Orthodox Gathering law,” he added.
The FPM chief said the Lebanese are obliged to “reach a new law that conforms to the National Pact and a law that ensures correct representation to all Lebanese people.”

Putin Calls for Boosting Syria 'Ceasefire' ahead of Astana Talks- Naharnet

President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday called for shoring up Syria's frail truce as Russian-led peace talks involving Syrian rebels and regime officials are set to begin Wednesday in Kazakhstan's capital Astana.
"We consider that this situation -- the ceasefire -- needs to be strengthened, and this is precisely what our representatives will work on tomorrow and the day after in Astana together with the sides in the Syrian conflict," Putin said at a news conference in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"Our task is to create conditions for unification, the cessation of hostilities, the cessation of mutual destruction and the creation of conditions for the political cooperation of all opposing sides."
The two days of talks -- sponsored by Syrian regime supporters Russia and Iran along with rebel-backer Turkey -- are the first since U.S. President Donald Trump infuriated the Kremlin by launching a missile strike against Assad's forces over an alleged chemical weapons attack last month.
A rebel delegation led by Mohammad Alloush, leader of the Jaish al-Islam faction, has arrived in Astana for the talks, Kazakhstan's foreign ministry said Tuesday.
An adviser to the main opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC), Yehya Aridi, told AFP that the group would participate in the talks with "approximately" the same delegation as in previous rounds of negotiations.  
The rebels did not separately confirm Alloush's participation. Regime negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari will lead the Damascus delegation.
U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura will also take part in the talks which could pave the way for a new round of U.N.-brokered peace negotiations in Geneva this month, the United Nations said Monday.

Nasrallah Urges Consensual Electoral Law, Says Not Seeking to Impose Proportional Representation- Naharnet

Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah stressed Tuesday that his party is not seeking to “impose” the proportional representation electoral system on the country, while warning that Lebanon is “on the brink of the abyss” regarding the issue of the electoral law.
“A lot of forces are approaching the electoral law as if it is 'an issue of life or death' and they are right in their approach,” said Nasrallah in a televised speech marking the “Wounded of the Resistance Day.”
“Some parties are unfortunately exploiting the electoral law file to sabotage some alliances and settle scores,” he lamented.
Nasrallah noted that throughout the past few months and weeks, there has been “an attempt to accuse Hizbullah that it is seeking to prevent Christians from electing their MPs with their own votes.”
“The other accusation is that Hizbullah does not want an electoral law that gives the Free Patriotic Movement and the Lebanese Forces a third of parliament and I say that these are baseless accusations,” he said.
Nasrallah noted that Hizbullah “had agreed to the Orthodox Gathering law although it would have allowed Christians to elect all their MPs.”
“It has been said that Hizbullah wants to impose full proportional representation on the Lebanese through its weapons and military might. But Hizbullah has been calling for proportional representation since it entered parliament in 1992 and its stance is based on the national interest,” Hizbullah's leader added.
“It wants the fairest and most just representation and our stance is not partisan or sectarian,” he emphasized.

Russian military advisor killed in Syria- TASS


The Defense Ministry reports militants' gunfire has claimed the life of Lieutenant Colonel Alexei Buchelnikov


MOSCOW, May 2. /TASS/. A Russian military advisor has died in Syria in a gunfire opened by a militant sniper at a unit of the Syrian Army, the Defense Ministry said in a report.

"Militants' gunfire at a unit of Syrian troops has claimed the life of Lieutenant Colonel Alexei Buchelnikov," it said. "Alexei Buchelnikov was delegated to Syria as a member of the group of Russian military advisors. He had a duty of training the personnel of a Syrian armed unit."

"When the training was in progress, the unit underwent fire by a militant sniper and Lt.-Col. Buchelnikov received a fatal wound," the report said.


Syrian Army takes over 9 checkpoints in Afrin District- Al-Masdar News

TV-channel “Russia-24” has released a report about the activity of the Russian reconciliation centre in north-western part of the Aleppo countryside, namely, in Afrin District, which is located near the border with Turkey. The report covers the distribution of the humanitarian aid among refugees in Rawbar Camp and cooperation between Russian, Syrian and Kurdish forces in the area.
The Russian reconciliation centre deployed in Rawbar Camp field hospitals and kitchens and organized the distribution of the humanitarian aid. This camp has become home for 2,000 refugees (primarily, women, children and the elderly) from various parts of Aleppo Governorate. People in Rawbar are deprived of basic commodities, such as electricity and main water supply.


The branch of the Russian reconciliation centre in Afrin was established  only one month ago. However, since then it has delivered several dozen tons of food and medicines for 5,000 people in the area.
part from humanitarian cooperation, Russian officers are conducting negotiations with the local self-defence forces. Under the deal brokered by the reconciliation centre, Kurdish forces allowed Syrian Army to take over 9 checkpoints at the frontline near the rebel-held areas. For example, the Syrian national flag was spotted at Ayn-Daqnah, Maranaz and Kaft-Jannah.
More than that, Syrian Army vows to retake other points from the jihadists. A Syrian soldier from the aforementioned report claims that 3 villages were captured by the government forces on the 1st of May, but this information is not reliable and needs further confirmation.
It was also disclosed that Russian military police and Kurdish units are patrolling the border areas of Afrin District in order to prevent clashes with Turkish Armed Forces.

Suriye ordusu yeni taarruz için Palmira cephesine asker sevk ediyor- Al-Masdar News Türkçe

Suriye Arap Ordusu’na bağlı farklı birliklerde görev yapan yüzlerce asker, yeni bir taarruz için Palmira hattına takviye edildi.

Askeri bir kaynağın Al Masdar’a verdiği bilgilere göre, Lazkiye ve Tartus bölgelerinden Humus’a sevk edilen birlikler, yakında başlaması beklenen taarruz için 5. Fırtına Kolordusu’na yardım edecek.

Operasyon ile ilgili detaylar henüz medya ile paylaşılmazken; ordu ve müttefiklerinin, Palmira’nın doğusunda yer alan Sukna beldesine doğru bir taarruz başlatabileceği tahmin ediliyor.
Deyr ez Zor ile Palmira’yı birbirine bağlayan kara yolu üzerinde bulunan Sukna beldesinin ordu kontrolüne geçmesi; Deyr ez Zor kuşatmasının kırılması için ilk adım olarak görülüyor.