A year on from the ousting of Assad

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  Damascus, Syria — “Hold your head high, you’re a free Syrian.” The refrain of this Arabic song—now widely embraced as the unofficial anthem of a new Syria—echoes throughout Damascus. It blares from market loudspeakers, rings out during celebrations in the central square, and is even sung by the man offering traditional coffee to new arrivals at the airport. For decades, many Syrians lived with lowered gazes under the authoritarian rule of the Al-Assad family. The regime maintained an expansive surveillance system in which the feared Mukhabarat , the intelligence network, kept the population in check. Remaining silent was often the safest choice—until the Arab Spring ignited an uprising, and Assad’s fierce response plunged the nation into a ten-year civil war. Today, Syrians are openly and energetically marking the first anniversary of what they regard as their liberation from Assad’s government. The celebration follows a rapid rebel offensive on December 8 last year, led by fo...
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Afghanistan, Pakistan agree to immediate ceasefire after talks in Doha

 

After a week of violent and deadly clashes along their disputed border, Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire immediately in talks mediated by Qatar and Turkiye. The two South Asian nations agreed to the ceasefire "and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability between the two countries," according to Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs early on Sunday.
According to Doha, the two nations also made the decision to hold follow-up meetings in the coming days "to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire and verify its implementation in a reliable and sustainable manner."

Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, describing it as a "first step in the right direction." “Deeply appreciate the constructive role played by brotherly Qatar and Turkiye,” he said in a post on X.
 “We look forward to the establishment of a concrete and verifiable monitoring mechanism, in the next meeting to be hosted by Turkiye, to address the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil towards Pakistan,” he added.
 “It is important to put all efforts in place to prevent any further loss of lives.”
After clashes that killed dozens and injured hundreds in the worst violence between the two South Asian neighbors since the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021, both sides said they would hold peace talks on Saturday in Doha to find a way forward.
According to Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, "as promised, negotiations with the Pakistani side will take place today in Doha." He also stated that Kabul's negotiating team, led by Defense Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob, was in the Qatari capital.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said the country’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, led discussions with representatives of Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership.
 Islamabad demanded that Kabul rein in rebels who had increased cross-border attacks in Pakistan, claiming that the fighters were operating from safe havens in Afghanistan. This sparked cross-border fighting between the former allies and Pakistani air strikes along their contested 2,600 km (1,600 mi) frontier. The Taliban has denied giving haven to armed groups to attack Pakistan, and accuses the Pakistani military of spreading misinformation about Afghanistan and sheltering ISIL (ISIS)-linked fighters who have undermined the country’s stability and sovereignty.
 Islamabad has denied Kabul’s accusations.  Pakistan has accused Kabul of allowing armed groups to reside inside Afghanistan and wage war for years against the Pakistani state in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with their strict brand of Islamic governance system.
 Seven Pakistani soldiers were killed and 13 others were injured in a suicide attack on Friday near the border, according to security officials. “The Afghan regime must rein in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan and are using Afghan soil to perpetrate heinous attacks inside Pakistan,” Pakistani Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir said on Saturday, addressing a graduation ceremony of cadets.


Location: Qatar

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