Syria: Sanction Evasions, Drug Trafficking, And Eminent Collapse

THE EARLY PHOENIX

★ Syria

September 3, 2024

Assad’s Covert Control Over 19 Critical Infrastructure Sectors Exposed

Recent reports reveal Bashar al-Assad’s covert control over 19 essential infrastructure sectors in Syria. This strategic control helps Assad effectively evade international sanctions. The affected sectors, crucial to Syria’s economic and security framework, include energy, telecommunications, and transportation. These sectors are crucial for daily operations and national security, directly impacting Syria’s economy and public services.

Assad Regime’s Fourth Drug Trafficking Attempt Thwarted

The Assad regime’s fourth drug trafficking attempt in a week continues to rise. On August 31, 2024, Jordanian authorities intercepted several attempts, underscoring the escalating drug trafficking threat. Another 35,000 pills were seized in the latest operation. Previously, building materials concealed 147,000 pills, a vehicle hid 200,000, and food items at border points contained 40,000.

Syria: Golan Heights Now Occupied by 15 Russian Monitoring Points

In response to over 180 Israeli airstrikes on Syria, Russia has expanded its military presence in the region. This strategic move involves establishing 15 monitoring points across the Golan Heights, significantly increasing Russia’s footprint in this contentious area. These points, positioned under the guise of reducing regional tensions, particularly those sparked by conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah, serve a dual purpose. They ostensibly aim to monitor and mitigate hostilities, but also strategically assert Russian presence in contentious areas, leveraging Israeli military actions as a pretext for expanding their influence in this geopolitically sensitive region.

Syria: Lavrov Cautions SDF on U.S. Reliability

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned Syria’s Self-Administration of potentially facing a fate similar to the U.S.-abandoned Afghans in 2021. Lavrov criticized the U.S. presence in northeastern Syria for destabilizing the region and attempting to establish a quasi-state entity. He accused Washington of failing in counterterrorism and of protecting zones that benefit economically from oil, gas, and grain exports. Urging the Kurds to negotiate with the Syrian government, Lavrov highlighted the unreliability of U.S. support and warned of serious consequences.

Syria: Russian Center Cites Major Airspace Violations by Coalition Forces

In August, the Russian Reconciliation Center in Syria reported a significant number of airspace violations, documenting 360 instances by the U.S.-led coalition aircraft over the Al-Tanf region. Deputy Chief Oleg Ignatov highlighted the risks these incursions pose, including the potential for aerial incidents and heightened tensions within Syrian airspace. The center accused the coalition of breaching deconfliction protocols, raising alarms about possible military clashes. Additionally, Russia has intensified operations against militants in Homs and Deir Ezzor, criticizing the coalition for allegedly supporting ISIS cells. The report also noted a specific incident involving a U.S. drone and multiple violations by coalition aircraft in a single day.

Syria: Defense Minister Bolsters Iran Alliance Against Israeli Actions

Syrian Defense Minister Ali Mahmoud Abbas reaffirmed Syria’s alliance with Iran against Israel, emphasizing their “Axis of Resistance” cooperation. Abbas lauded Iran’s support since 2011, highlighting their shared security interests and united front against Israel’s regional maneuvers. He stressed that ongoing cooperation with Iran fortifies their stance against mutual adversaries, underpinning their commitment to regional stability. However, reports suggest tensions between Damascus and Tehran regarding Syria’s hesitance to engage directly in the conflict with Israel over Gaza.

Syria: Iranian Newspaper Foresees Assad Regime’s Collapse

Iranian publication Aftab News predicts the downfall of Assad’s government, linking it to Russia’s challenges in Ukraine and reduced Iranian backing. The report points out potential economic and geopolitical repercussions for Putin, Assad, and Tehran, due to rapid regional and global shifts. Criticizing Iran’s strategies, the article connects Putin’s expensive war in Ukraine and Assad’s severe economic crisis. It also marks Ukraine’s recent penetration into Russian lands as the first such instance since World War II.

Syria: U.S. Imposes Visa Bans on Officials for Enforced Disappearances

The U.S. imposed visa restrictions on 14 Syrian officials involved in forced disappearances. This action coincides with the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances. The U.S. State Department stated the move demonstrates solidarity with victims and seeks to hold perpetrators accountable. These restrictions add to earlier sanctions against 21 Syrian officials and their families, announced in 2023 and 2024. The State Department highlighted that over 96,000 individuals, including women and children, remain unaccounted for due to systematic human rights abuses by the Syrian regime.

Syria: Upcoming Talks with Turkey to Revise Adana Agreement

Syrian media has announced upcoming discussions between Syria and Turkey aimed at revising the Adana Agreement to foster enhanced cooperation. A diplomatic source indicated that Russia has likely set the agenda for these talks, expected by late September. Key topics will include identifying terrorist groups, establishing a Syria-Turkey mechanism to combat terrorism, and setting a timeline for the withdrawal of Turkish troops. Revising the Adana Agreement for better border security will also be a major focus. The source noted that all agenda items require approval from concerned parties, especially Syria, with Russia emphasizing the importance of Turkish troop withdrawal.

Syria: U.S. Army and SDF Recapture Escaped ISIS Leader

The U.S. Army, with support from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), successfully recaptured ISIS leader Khalid Ahmad al-Dandal early Sunday morning. Al-Dandal, who had recently escaped from a detention center in Raqqa, is accused of aiding detained fighters. The capture followed the escape of five foreign ISIS fighters from the same facility on August 29, of whom SDF recaptured two while three remain at large. The ongoing efforts of the U.S. and SDF are crucial in preventing further escapes, as over 9,000 ISIS detainees still pose a significant threat in SDF-controlled centers across Syria.

Syria: Pakistan Opens Honorary Consulate in Homs Amid Diplomatic Growth

Pakistan has inaugurated an honorary consulate in Homs, Syria, appointing Muhammad Labeeb Al-Ikhwan as the honorary consul for the province. This development marks a significant shift in Pakistan-Syria relations which have evolved since the 2011 Syrian uprising. Initially maintaining a neutral stance, Pakistan has, since 2015, increasingly supported the Syrian regime, strengthening ties amid broader regional alliances with Iran and Russia. The reopening of Pakistan’s embassy in Damascus in 2018 further underscored these deepening diplomatic relations, driven by regional partnerships that support the Syrian government.

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