Syria Roundup: Ties with Belarus, American strikes, rights abuse

Strengthening parliamentary ties with Belarus

Recent diplomatic efforts have been underscored by Syria and Belarus, as they seek to strengthen their parliamentary ties. Key discussions between Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh and Belarusian Parliamentary Chairman Natalia Kochanova revolve around the importance of parliamentary diplomacy. As reported by SANA, they highlighted a robust partnership in addressing mutual challenges like external interference and unilateral sanctions, showcasing a commitment to broader collaboration across political, economic, and humanitarian sectors.

Issues of border crossings

The strategic importance of the over 130 land border crossings between Syria and Lebanon has been brought to light. Primarily serving Hezbollah's operational needs and smuggling activities, these crossings include six official outlets. However, numerous unauthorised crossings operate beyond regulatory oversight, particularly in the Bekaa Valley. Recent Israeli military actions have focused on curtailing arms smuggling through targeted operations at various crossings, notably Al-Masnaa, Jusiyah, and Matraba. The necessity for disrupting the Iranian arms corridor and ensuring international supervision has become apparent, with Syrian military security and Hezbollah's Unit 4400 collaborating closely on smuggling activities, Alma reports.

Human rights abuse

On the humanitarian front, a warning from Human Rights Watch indicates the peril faced by Syrians returning from Lebanon amid the escalating Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Since late September, over half a million people have crossed back into Syria, accompanied by reports of arbitrary detention and abuse upon return, exacerbating the already dire situation for many refugees. The sole operational border crossing has been compromised by Israeli airstrikes, further complicating escape routes and safety measures for returnees, reports Khaleej Times.

US Sanctions

Syria's UN Ambassador Qusay Al-Dahhak has called for an urgent lifting of coercive economic measures imposed by the U.S. and EU on multiple nations, including Syria and Cuba. Stating these measures as violations of international law, Al-Dahhak reaffirmed Syria's support for Cuba against the U.S. blockade and reiterated the nation's commitment to UN resolutions advocating for the cessation of such sanctions, reports SANA.

US airstrikes kill ISIS operatives

U.S. airstrikes targeting ISIS camps in Syria have reportedly resulted in the deaths of up to 35 ISIS operatives, according to U.S. Central Command. CBS News highlights that this action follows joint operations with Iraqi forces against the Islamic State, which, although still posing a threat, is deemed less powerful than in previous years. CENTCOM asserted that the strikes aim to disrupt ISIS's capabilities in planning attacks, with assurances of no civilian casualties reported during these operations.